In an act of goodwill and community service, a durian stall in Singapore, Famous Durian, recently held a sizable giveaway of the beloved fruit for senior citizens. The event drew a crowd of over 500 individuals, some of whom waited patiently for more than three hours to get their share of the prized fruit.
A Popular Event for Seniors
The giveaway event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Monday on Yishun Street 81. However, as early as 5 p.m., around 200 senior citizens were already lined up in anticipation. A 71-year-old retiree who was among the early birds expressed her joy at claiming the durians for the first time.
An Appreciation Gesture
The owner of the durian stall, a 43-year-old man, stated that the event was held as a gesture of appreciation to the community and as a means to allow elderly residents to enjoy the revered fruit. He prepared around 1,200 kilograms of durians, approximately 1,000 pieces, for the event, inviting anyone aged 60 and above. He noted that the distributed fruits were valued at over S$10,000 (US$7,730).
Overwhelming Turnout
Each participant could take home two durians, including one Mao Shan Wang (Musang King), a highly preferred variety in Singapore, and one of a different variety. Despite having organized such an event on three previous occasions, the turnout this time around was unexpectedly large, prompting the owner to distribute an additional 100 durians. Unfortunately, the entire stock ran out by 7:20 p.m., with some seniors eventually receiving only one durian instead of the promised two. The owner acknowledged that some participants were unhappy with this outcome, but assured that it was unintended.
Spreading Love and Kindness
In a post-event message, Famous Durian emphasized that the giveaway aimed to “spread a little love” with “no returns, no agenda” in a world that feels chaotic. The post read, “Kindness costs nothing, but it means everything. I hope everyone can pass this love forward and make our society a little softer.”
Durians are a favorite among Singaporeans, with the city-state importing about 85% of its durians from Malaysia. During the peak season, the city-state imports around 100,000 kilograms of the fruit per day.
Questions & Answers
What was the purpose of the durian giveaway?
The giveaway was organized by a durian seller as a gesture of appreciation to the community and as a way to allow elderly residents to enjoy the fruit.
How many durians were given away and what was their value?
The seller prepared around 1,200 kilograms of durians, approximately 1,000 pieces, for the event, with the distributed fruits valued at over S$10,000 (US$7,730).
Were all participants able to receive two durians as promised?
Due to the unexpectedly large turnout, some participants eventually received only one durian instead of the promised two. The entire stock ran out before everyone could receive their full share.
