MORE companies will participate this year in an annual event that encourages Singaporeans to share a meal and spend quality time with their families.

The number of companies joining Eat With Your Family Day has grown to at least 176 this year, up from 150 companies two years ago.

For each of the last two years, about 100,000 workers have managed to knock off early – at about 5pm – to return home for dinner that day.

The event, in its eighth year, is held annually on the last day of school term before the June holidays start, which falls on May 27 this year.

Mr Lim Soon Hock, chairman of the non-profit Centre For Fathering that leads the initiative, believes that the number of unofficial participants from organisations is double or even triple that of official numbers.

He said: “Even though it is only one day that we promote, the impact is quite strong as we remind people to set aside not only quality time but also ‘quantity time’ to eat with our family, and to bond through that ritual.”

Mr Lim, who also chairs the National Family Council, an organisation that promotes family life, believes that the event helps create shared experiences between family members.

Mr Wong Suen Kwong, the Centre For Fathering’s executive director, added: “We hope that companies will take this idea, go on to take it further and incorporate it in their work life.”

Public-relations consultancy Hill and Knowlton will join the event for the first time this year.

Its senior account executive, Miss Yvonne Li, 27, said: “It’s a great initiative, as we sometimes get too caught up with work and forget the things that are important to us. It means more than just sitting down and eating to me, and I will try to help prepare a meal for my family as well.”

In conjunction with the event, an art exhibition is being held at the Arts House from yesterday to May 31, from 10am to 10pm. It features works of 13 artists and art groups on the value of family, food and art.

Eat With Your Family Day is a highlight of the National Family Celebrations organised by the National Family Council and supported by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. This year, the activities will run from May 25 to June 26.

These include netball sessions for mothers and their children, and cooking classes to whip up family- friendly recipes. For more information, visit www.nfc.sg

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