The Hawker Sessions: Get your makan fix and make a difference!

PUBLISHED November 20th, 2013 03:11 am | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am

What is it that you love about Hawker Centres? That they are an integral part of Singapore’s landscape? That they bring together a fantastic array of food cultures under one roof? That they are tasty and affordable? That they are socially vibrant places, fantastic for people watching?

The answer to that question is probably all of the above.

But what about if it was also: they are a great way of giving back to the community? With the first social enterprise Hawker Centre pioneered in Bedok and another one slated for 2015, it seems the face of the Hawker Centre is changing. It is with these developments that eating in a Hawker can now be…not just about food, but so much more.

Cue the Hawker Sessions, a series of roaming dinner chapters aimed at uniting people for a night of good food, cold brews, great company and most importantly – a meaningful way of giving back with proceeds going DIRECTLY to beneficiaries of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Help The Elderly Patients Programme.

So how exactly do they work, you might ask?  Easy!

Step one: Everyone is invited! Yes, you, you and you, get a wriggle on because that means everyone and anyone, plus your friends and family. The next Hawker Sessions (#4) event takes place at Maxwell Road Food Market on 6th December 2013, 7.30pm.

Step two: On the night, turn up, chope your seat, order and pay for your food, learn about the stories and needs of the beneficiaries; then all you need to do to feel good is make an additional donation to the cause. It can be as little or as much as you like – maybe even the saving you make on the cocktails and restaurant fare you wouldn’t be consuming that night! – no pressure, just drop it in the collection jar.

Step three: Revel in what promises to be a cool vibe, enjoy tasty food and an overall feel-good factor  plus an auction where you can get your hands on some awesome items like hotel stays. There’ll also be live music, a pop quiz, a tap dance performance (woot!), and an eating contest (if you’re brave enough).

Step four: Walk away with full tummies, happy souls and a halo over your head knowing you’ve not only had a great night of good food and company but also made a difference to needy elderly patients including those who suffer from chronic and complex conditions, who need long-term medical treatment and have little savings or family support.

So far editions #1, #2 & #3 of The Hawker Sessions have raised over $15,000 cumulatively for Tan Tock Seng Community Charity Fund and with the last session raising a whopping $7,940…do you Nomads accept the challenge to go forth, eat and smash this total?

If you do, find out more at the event page here.

The Hawker Sessions, #4 is happening on Friday 6th December, 7.30pm at Maxwell Road Food Market. For updates, stay tuned to The Hawker Sessions Facebook page here.

City Nomads is proud to be supporting The Hawker Sessions as Official Media Partner.

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Written by Ms Demeanour

In-feature photos courtesy of The Hawker Sessions. Cover photo courtesy of Your Singapore