SALTSTEPS: Fund Singapore's 1st Social Supermarket

SingaporeSaltsteps

$8,050

Raised of $8,000 SGD

Successfully funded on Jan 11, 2015
48 supporters
100%%

About This Project

Our Story

Photo credit: ST Photo - Ong Wee Jin

Our co-founder and manager, Desiree, was on her internship at voluntary welfare organisation
Beyond Social Services, when she discovered that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of low-income families in Singapore.

A particular instance that left a deep impact on her was when she heard colleagues talking about a mother who mixed condensed milk with water to feed her baby because she could not afford formula milk.

Desiree didn't quite know where to start so she turned to google - naturally - and searched up 'ideas for social enterprises' and chanced upon the concept of social supermarkets. This led to that and she founded Saltsteps with her father, Roland, in September
this year.

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Who Are We

We are a non-profit social enterprise (currently reigstered as a Limited-Liability Partnership) operating on the social supermarket model that works closely with and assists low-income families in Singapore.

We receive donations of surplus or unwanted goods (nearing expiry date, products have become obsolete because of rebranding) from various suppliers and distributors. Examples of such products include canned food items and baby diapers. These products are
ultimately still safe for consumption and are sold exclusively to low-income families in Singapore at
50 to 70 per cent off market prices at commercial supermarkets.

___________________________________

How Do We Work

We aren't fully operational yet but we intend to operate on a call-and-order system where clients can call us at +65 8241 5375 to place an order and have their purchases delivered to them (min. order of SGD$10) at a minimal delivery fee of SGD$1.

All profits made are directed towards ensuring the sustainability of our operations.

___________________________________

Where Do We Deliver To

We have identified three neighbourhoods in Singapore (Lengkok Bahru, Bukit Ho Swee and Henderson) that it will make deliveries to. All three neighbourhoods have blocks of flats that are under the
Public Rental Scheme where residents are entitled to rent 1-room/2-room flats at a heavily subsidised rate (total household gross income must not exceed SGD$1,500/month).

___________________________________

Who Do We work With

We wouldn't exist without the generous support of the corporate organisations that have partnered with us.

S J Low Bros & Co Pte Ltd Disposable Soft Goods (S) Pte Ltd

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! Our Rewards !

Your contribution, no matter the amount - means the world to us. And of course, we have some awesome rewards for you guys!



Like what you see? Then take this campaign (www.startsomegood.com/saltsteps) and share it with your family and friends! Share it on Facebook or Instagram, tweet about it on Twitter or via email - anything works really :) If you have a question or simply wish
to find out more about the work that we do, feel free to leave a comment below, drop us an email or head on over to any of the following links:

- Website: www.saltsteps.com

- Facebook: www.facebook.com/saltsteps

- Twitter (@saltsteps): www.twitter.com/saltsteps

Use Of Funds

$8,000 Tipping Point Goal

Tipping Point goal



*5% of our funds will go to StartSomeGood 


When we reach our tipping point of
$8,000, we will be able to cover the minimum costs to get Saltsteps off the ground and help us operate comfortably for at least
6 months. This includes: 


Petrol for 6 Months ($1,800): We're currently relying on our trusty family car, a Honda Odyssey, to help with logistics management (collection/delivering of goods) and will hence need money to help FUEL
this baby. 



Our co-founder and manager, Desiree, loading boxes of canned food that were collected from
S J Low Bros & Co Pte Ltd. 


Miscellaneous Expenses for 6-month period (Phone Bills + Plastic Bags = $200):
We don't have an office line so all business enquiries are directed to a business line (8241 5375) that is attached to Desiree's personal mobile via
Starhub's (local service provider) 2-in-1 line at
SGD$5.35/month. We've also budgeted
$30/month for plastic bags that we'll be using for our deliveries. 


Capital to Purchase Stock ($6,000): Our first option whenever it comes to the securing of stock for our operations is to have it donated to us at
no cost. Suppliers are able to do so because goods donated to us are those that are
nearing their expiry date or have gone obsolete because of product rebranding,
among other reasons. However, they're ultimately still safe for consumption.


However, for items such as rice - which is a key basic necessity for families - suppliers have informed us that it is nearly impossible for them to provide us any goods at no cost. This is so as such
"rejected/unwanted goods" are usually just repackaged for sale again. 


As such, we recognise that there is a need for us to purchase some stock (at cost price/half-price) to ensure a
steady supply for our clients. Hence, we have
budgeted $1000/month for the purchasing of stock such as rice. 





Remember, if we don't reach our TIPPING POINT, we don't get any money at all.


Ultimate Funding Goal



*5% of our funds will go to StartSomeGood 


When we reach our ultimate goal of $25,000, it won't only help to ensure that
Saltsteps is able to operate comfortably for 6 months, but it will also help us secure a
small office to overcome our current
storage limitations.


Rental for a Small Office ($13,000 for ONE YEAR): Saltsteps
isn't currently operating out of a proper office which means that we're no strangers to storage limitations - especially when the goods arrive in large quantities. 


Our current corporate partners have been really understanding with regards to this and have agreed to an arrangement whereby the goods are collected on a weekly/monthly basis instead of a one-off collection. However, we would still really love a place to
call our own, even if it's just a small 200 sq ft. office! :)


So help Us, help a family in need today. 



 

$25,000 Stretch Goal


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Rewards

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GET AN EXCLUSIVE SALTSTEPS TOTE BAG MAILED TO YOU, along with a set of Saltsteps stickers, a personalised 'Thank You' card and your name on 'The Honor Roll' on our website!

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GET AN EXCLUSIVE SALTSTEPS T-SHIRT MAILED TO YOU, along with a personalised 'Thank You' card, a set of Saltsteps stickers and your name on 'The Honor Roll' on our website!

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$70.00

GET AN EXCLUSIVE SALTSTEPS TOTE BAG AND T-SHIRT MAILED TO YOU, along with a set of Saltsteps stickers, a personalised 'Thank You' card and your name on 'The Honor Roll' on our website!

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$80.00

A SKYPE SESSION WITH OUR FOUNDERS, DESIREE AND ROLAND, along with an exclusive Saltsteps tote bag and T-shirt, a set of Saltsteps stickers, a personalised 'Thank You' card and your name on 'The Honor Roll' on our website!

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$250.00

A LUNCH-DATE AT A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE F&B OUTLET OF YOUR CHOICE WITH OUR FOUNDERS, DESIREE AND ROLAND, along with an exclusive Saltsteps tote bag and T-shirt, a set of Saltsteps stickers, a personalised 'Thank You' card and your name on 'The Honor Roll' on our website!