Frequently Asked Questions
Beneficiary’s FAQ
All about your Redemption
Hawker’s FAQ
How to accept meal redemptions and receive payments seamlessly.
About BelanjaSG
What's Belanja all about?
Hey, so Belanja's initiated by GoodHood.SG to eliminate hidden hunger in Singapore. Imagine a marketplace where folks who need a hand—like a free meal—can just grab it, no fuss.
We call it a "Pay-It-Forward Marketplace." Donors chip in to buy a meal, hawker prepares the meals, and social workers point us to families who need it most. Our dream? Make poverty a thing of the past here, step by step, by making giving super easy, clear, and real.
Why should I care about this?
Honestly, we've all seen someone quietly struggling—maybe a neighbor, maybe someone at the hawker centre counting coins. It's not always loud, but it's there. Belanja's about stepping in for those folks, especially the ones who fall through the cracks.
You ever wish you could help but don't know how? This is how—whether you've got money, goods, or just know someone who needs a boost, you're part of making life a bit lighter for them.
How does it actually work?
- If you're a donor, pick a hawker stall—any or a fave—and donate a meal there.
- Beneficiaries—CHAS & SingPass verified—log in, claim what they need within their quota, and that's it. Hawkers will use your money to serve them.
- Social workers can step in to bump up quotas for families they know are really in a tough spot. You'll even get a ping about who got your help
Who's getting my help?
Beneficiaries verified with CHAS and Singpass on our platform—struggling parents or elderly. Social workers double-check and boost quotas if they need more.
What's in it for me if I donate?
You get to know exactly where your money went—no guessing games. Plus, you can write a little note to the person you're helping.
It's not just about feeling good (though that's nice); it's about seeing the ripple you made. Like, your $15 could be three meals for someone who hasn't eaten properly all week. That sticks with you.
I'm a merchant—why join in?
Hey, if you're a hawker or run a shop, this is a way to do good without breaking the bank.
- We don't ask you to give stuff for free or discounts—just tell us a dish below $5.
- You get steady business, get your stall listed on Belanja for the community to donate, serve the beneficiaries & get weekly payouts from us.
It's a win-win: revenue plus heart.
I'm a social worker—how do I fit in?
You're the glue here. You know the families who are quietly hurting—the ones who don't ask for help.
With Belanja, you can flag them to us, boost their quotas, and get them what they need, fast. No endless paperwork, just your know-how and a quick verification. You're basically their lifeline, and we've got your back with the tech to make it simple.
I might need help—can I use Belanja?
If you've got a CHAS card (Blue or Orange) and Singpass, yeah, you're in. No shame, no hassle—just log in, see what's there, and claim it.
Maybe it's a meal weekly or every two weeks. We've capped it so it's fair—Blue gets more, like 1 meal every week, Orange gets 1 meal every 2 weeks at this phase—but it's there for you. And the donors? They're rooting for you, even leaving little notes sometimes.
Is this legit?
We get it—trust matters. Everything's out in the open: where the money goes, who's getting help, how much is in the "bank." Sensitive stuff like names stays private, but you can see the numbers add up.
- We lean on official stuff like CHAS, Singpass, and registered social workers to keep it legit.
- Plus, GoodHood.SG's been at this—trying to make giving better—for a while now.
Why start with meals?
Food's a basic need, and it's something we can fix fast.
- A meal's cheap enough that $100 can feed a bunch of people, and it's something folks need every day.
- Once we nail that, we'll move up—think daily stuff like bus & train fares.
It's about building hope, one bite at a time.
Can I really make a difference?
Yeah, you can. One meal might not sound like much, but to someone hungry, it's everything.
- A donor's $20 feeds a family
- A hawker's dish below $5 keeps it affordable
- A social worker's nudge gets it to the right hands
- And if you're claiming, you're letting someone's kindness shine
We're all in this together—little moves, big change.
Why does this feel different from other charity stuff?
Because it's personal. You're not just tossing money into a void—you're feeding someone real, hearing their story, maybe even swapping a message.
It's fast, it's clear, and it's built so everyone—donors, hawkers, social workers, families—feels like they're part of something bigger. We're not here to guilt-trip; we're here to connect and lift each other up.