Las Vegas Sands and Marina Bay Sands Support The Food Bank Singapore in a New Initiative

Las Vegas Sands and Marina Bay Sands have made a significant commitment to supporting The Food Bank Singapore by welcoming it into the Sands Cares Accelerator program. Announced on March 4, 2025, this partnership aims to enhance the nonprofit’s outreach and effectiveness over the next three years.

The Sands Cares Accelerator is a unique program designed to empower nonprofits through funding, strategic mentorship, and operational guidance. As part of the initiative, The Food Bank Singapore will receive an annual investment of $100,000 for three years. This funding will be pivotal in expanding the nonprofit's Bank Card Program, which is designed to streamline the food distribution process for beneficiaries in need.

Dr. Arthur Chin, the executive director of The Food Bank Singapore, expressed gratitude for this partnership, noting that it would significantly enhance the organization’s ability to serve vulnerable community members. The support received will enable the Food Bank to digitize its operations, reducing costs associated with the current manual processes of issuing physical cards to beneficiaries. The transition to a digital model will not only improve efficiency but will also enhance outreach efforts, particularly towards youths in tertiary institutions.

The Food Bank Singapore's Bank Card Program has already made a considerable impact by providing food aid to beneficiaries through smart wallets that carry monthly virtual credits. This innovative solution allows recipients to receive food aid from a network of over 300 feeding partners across Singapore, alleviating food insecurity for thousands of families. However, the manual tracking of physical cards has created added complexities and costs that the new program aims to address.

Since its inception in 2012, The Food Bank Singapore has been dedicated to tackling food waste and hunger in the city-state. Collaborating with more than 300 organizations, it distributes over two million meals annually to families facing hardship. This recent partnership with Marina Bay Sands, which has been a dedicated supporter since 2016, marks a new chapter in expanding their impact on the community.

Beyond financial support, the Sands Cares Accelerator includes structured mentorship, which means that the Food Bank will benefit from expert advice and strategic guidance from professionals at Las Vegas Sands and Marina Bay Sands. This fusion of mentorship and funding is expected to propel The Food Bank Singapore towards achieving its long-term goals of operational sustainability and community service.

Ron Reese, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs at Las Vegas Sands, emphasized the success of the Sands Cares Accelerator since its launch in 2017, citing investments of over $1.6 million and several successful graduates from the program. With its dedication to community improvement, the initiative has emerged as one of Sands’ most impactful contributions to society.

Marina Bay Sands has also played a hands-on role in supporting The Food Bank Singapore by organizing food drives and volunteering initiatives, showcasing a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. On the day of the announcement, approximately 300 team members participated in assembling 6,000 food kits, further reflecting the collaborative spirit between the two organizations.

Looking ahead, the collaboration is poised to foster new opportunities for growth and innovation in addressing food insecurity in Singapore. The Food Bank Singapore's participation in the Sands Cares Accelerator is anticipated to yield significant results not just for the organization, but for the community at large. As they embark on this new journey, the Food Bank aims to embody the legacy of Sands' founder, Sheldon G. Adelson, who championed corporate involvement in philanthropy.

In conclusion, this partnership not only highlights the importance of addressing food insecurity but also sets an example of how corporations and nonprofits can work collaboratively to create meaningful impacts in their communities. The next three years will serve as a crucial period for The Food Bank Singapore as they leverage resources from the Sands Cares Accelerator to transform their operations and scale their reach, ultimately making strides towards ending food waste and hunger in Singapore.