Singapore family sets up vending machine outside home, offering free drinks for workers

[SGMCF328]

We have read about kind hearted residents providing free wifi for workers, giving them free food and drinks when the workers are working for them (upgrading project included), but this one really take the cake! The perks of being rich.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-family-vending-machine-free-drinks-workers-031548465.html

A family residing in Siglap has set up a drinks-vending machine outside their home, so that food deliverymen and other workers can enjoy free drinks.

According to The Straits Times, Eric Chiam and his wife developed this vending machine idea with their triplet children, Andre, Ethan, and Sophia.

They called this family project "TYVMdrinks" or "Thank You Very Much drinks", said Chiam in a LinkedIn post on Friday (3rd March).

Each of the family members had specific roles. Chiam's son wrote the first ideas and critical considerations in a Google Doc, while his other son designed the logo and vending machine stickers. His daughter manages the Instagram account, his wife orders the drinks and Chiam himself funds the project.

Although he had initially intended to store drinks in a fridge by the gate of his home at Yarrow Gardens, he encountered "significant difficulty" in constructing a shelter.

As a result, they decided to install a vending machine that can keep beverages cold and withstand outdoor weather conditions.

During its first month of operation in January, the machine dispensed 637 drinks to food deliverymen, postal workers, and anyone else coming by on a work errand.

Chaim pointed out that postmen and refuse truck workers use the vending machine daily. "The Grab and Lalamove guys were in two camps, some took the drinks, but others were in too much of a hurry to notice its presence," he said.

"We reckon news of the drinks machine has not gone around in their WhatsApp groups much yet."

On average, 21 cans of beverages would be dispensed daily. According to Chiam, green tea and 100 plus beverages were the clear favourites.

The Straits Times reported that setting up and decorating the vending machine cost about $3,000, and the canned drinks cost less than 50 cents each.

Besides replenishing the vending machine twice a week, the family also discusses the types and number of drinks to buy over meals and ways to improve the project.

Dr Chiam suggested a pay-it-forward system to improve the project where others can chip in to purchase drinks for the delivery workers.

Having kind comments about the vending machine online has been encouraging. Chiam told The Straits Times, "The most rewarding part of this project is definitely seeing the smiles of delivery men, drivers and service people who use it."

Edited March 7, 2023 by SGMCF328

[kobayashiGT]

SOTY2023 this family got chance. 

Singaporean of the year. 

https://www.straitstimes.com/soty22

[Tianmo]

Next project, food vending machines coming.

 

[RadX]

On 3/7/2023 at 9:36 AM, Tianmo said:

Next project, food vending machines coming.

 

they can get the $1 nasi lemak to provide the vending machine w the food.....win-win for all

 

Woodlands home-based business selling nasi lemak budget at S$1 - Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world

 

https://mothership.sg/2023/03/1-dollar-nasi-lemak-woodlands/

[Soya]

Oh oh…..soon we’ll see a line of cheapskates who tailgate out of carparks raiding this free vending machine 

 

[RadX]

On 3/7/2023 at 9:41 AM, Soya said:

Oh oh…..soon we’ll see a line of cheapskates who tailgate out of carparks raiding this free vending machine 

 

sad right.....they are already making plans to circumvent that from happening

[Volvobrick]

He is using Ah Kong's land for free raiding our reserves. Waiting for SLA to write to him to pay rent... 😅

Edited March 7, 2023 by Volvobrick

[Benarsenal]

On 3/7/2023 at 9:39 AM, RadX said:

they can get the $1 nasi lemak to provide the vending machine w the food.....win-win for all

 

Woodlands home-based business selling nasi lemak budget at S$1 - Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world

 

https://mothership.sg/2023/03/1-dollar-nasi-lemak-woodlands/

Wah this one like good leh. 

[Victor68]

Should have provided mineral water lah. Wait Kenna sue for causing diabetes how? Good job haha 😆

[mersaylee]

Every kind soul in that household has a role to play...but no one wants to play cook...😂

[Fitvip]

On 3/7/2023 at 9:36 AM, Tianmo said:

Next project, food vending machines coming.

 

I think there is a family doing it, just short of the machine. They have a shelf outside their flat with all the necessities.

https://give.asia/campaign/kindness-corner-sg-for-low-income-families-individuals

Edited March 7, 2023 by Fitvip

[Kyrios]

Hmm...the 2 daughters not bad...presentable.. 😄

[Benarsenal]

On 3/7/2023 at 10:49 PM, Kyrios said:

Hmm...the 2 daughters not bad...presentable.. 😄

It's two sons one daughter lah

[inlinesix]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:08 PM, Benarsenal said:

It's two sons one daughter lah

Mother looks like daughter?

🤭

[13177]

On 3/7/2023 at 5:34 PM, Fitvip said:

I think there is a family doing it, just short of the machine. They have a shelf outside their flat with all the necessities.

https://give.asia/campaign/kindness-corner-sg-for-low-income-families-individuals

This family still continue doing it or not? 😅 The article was in 2021 liao.

[Ody_2004]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:08 PM, Benarsenal said:

It's two sons one daughter lah

no wonder i click all the link cannot see 2 presentable daughters! whahahahahaha..

[Fitvip]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:39 PM, 13177 said:

This family still continue doing it or not? 😅 The article was in 2021 liao.

Still open and it closes at 8.30 pm

[13177]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:59 PM, Ody_2004 said:

no wonder i click all the link cannot see 2 presentable daughters! whahahahahaha..

Jialat, one of the son looks like a daughter. 😂