{"id":57151,"date":"2026-06-01T15:29:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T07:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=57151"},"modified":"2026-06-01T15:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T07:29:44","slug":"spore-man-hosts-free-soup-event-at-tampines-hdb-void-deck-for-people-to-connect-mothership-sg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=57151","title":{"rendered":"S’pore man hosts free soup event at Tampines HDB void deck for people to connect – Mothership.SG"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Telegram\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Whatsapp\"<\/a>A man in Singapore held a free soup event at his void deck to encourage people to reconnect socially. <\/p>\n

Sharing his experience online, Ngoh Shian Bang hosted the small community event for the first time, covering everything from the total cost to his reflections and challenges in running it. <\/p>\n

Connecting<\/h2>\n

Taking to Reddit<\/a>, he explained that the idea came to him after reading about and reflecting on how people feel socially isolated, even though there are many ways to connect. <\/p>\n

He then came up with the idea to serve free soup. <\/p>\n

Ngoh shared that he wanted to use private venues for such community events, but discovered that the rental costs made it hard to sustain them. <\/p>\n

As such, he took the advice of someone who organised a potluck at their void deck to reach out to his town council. <\/p>\n

He explained to the town council that it was a free community food event with no money exchanged and that it would be capped at 50 people. <\/p>\n

To his surprise, the town council agreed. <\/p>\n

Community<\/h2>\n

He shared that he made two types of soup: a clear chicken soup and a spiced pumpkin and carrot soup. <\/p>\n

To make his event inclusive, he said he used “halal-friendly” ingredients but caveat that he comes from a non-halal household. <\/p>\n

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He informed his neighbours at the last minute, as the event itself was planned in a rush. <\/p>\n

However, he still had a good turnout, with the neighbours coming down to try the soup. <\/p>\n

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In fact, some even came all the way from the west side of Singapore. <\/p>\n

A few even offered to help out for the next event. <\/p>\n

“What surprised me most was not just that people came down for soup, but that neighbours and strangers naturally started chatting with one another. It made me realise that sometimes people are open to community, but there just needs to be a simple excuse for everyone to gather,” He wrote. <\/p>\n

Speaking to Mothership<\/em>, Ngoh hoped his gathering “brought neighbours and people from different walks of life together, even if just for a short while. With everything happening in the world, sometimes we all need a simple reason to sit down, share a meal, and forget the bad stuff for a moment.” <\/p>\n

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“For me, the soup was just a way to create that space. I hope people left with both a full stomach and a small reminder that community can still happen in ordinary places, like the void deck below our homes.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Total cost<\/h2>\n

Ngoh said that he ran the whole event by himself and paid for everything. <\/p>\n

The total cost for him to use the space at the void deck came to S$89.38, including S$50 in rental and charges for the use of electrical and water points. <\/p>\n

He listed some challenges he faced, like not having the correct round-pin plug and one water point not working. <\/p>\n

He also listed some learning points, such as reaching out to town councils directly, bringing fans if the electrical load allows and keeping the event small and manageable. <\/p>\n

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“Overall, I\u2019m hoping to host more free community events at my void deck. I also hope this helps others see the void deck as more than just a space for weddings and funerals. It can also be a simple, affordable space for neighbours and strangers to meet.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Encouraged by the first run, he now hopes to host the soup event monthly.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n