Heartwarming charitable meals

In 2009, Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Nghia – the head of the system of temples on Ba Mountain – invested in the construction of a charitable kitchen near Gate 5 of Tay Ninh General Hospital (Tan Ninh Ward, Tay Ninh Province).

The facility includes areas for cooking rice and other food, a vegetable and fruit peeling area, a food distribution table, a storage room, and a waiting area for food distribution… Seventeen years have passed, and this charitable kitchen continues to operate regularly.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, the staff member in charge of cooking and distributing meals at the charity kitchen, said: "Every day, the kitchen cooks and provides three meals for poor patients, at 4:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 4:30 PM."

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van prepares a charitable meal for patients at Tay Ninh General Hospital.

"Breakfast consists of plain rice porridge. Lunch and dinner include rice, and the food changes frequently," Mrs. Van explained.

Providing free meals to patients at Tay Ninh General Hospital.

According to her, depending on the patients' needs, the kitchen provides an average of 150-200 food portions per meal, each portion worth more than 20,000 VND.

Regarding operating costs, they were previously covered by Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Nghia. For more than a year now, after the Venerable Nun passed away, those responsible within the system of temples on Ba Mountain have continued to provide support to maintain the kitchen.

Thanks to the charitable kitchen, many patients and their families in difficult circumstances have had their burdens eased.

Ms. Van added that, besides the kitchen's activities, there are also some philanthropists and charitable groups who bring food to the kitchen staff to cook and then donate to patients. Sometimes, these philanthropists prepare the food in advance and then bring it as a donation.

The charity group led by Ms. Bui Thi Nga (residing in Tan Ninh ward) is one such example. Ms. Nga established the charity group two years ago. Every month, on the second day of the lunar calendar, her group brings 1,500 portions of savory rice noodles to Gate 5 of Tay Ninh General Hospital to donate to poor patients and people in difficult circumstances around the hospital.

Ms. Bui Thi Nga's charity group donated food in front of Gate 5 of Tay Ninh General Hospital.

Ms. Nga added that, in addition to charitable activities at the hospital gate, she also regularly contributes her time, money, and distributes free meals and noodles at several other locations.

Members of Ms. Nga's charity group joined forces, contributing money and effort to provide meals for people in need.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung (residing in Tan Ninh ward), who earns a living selling lottery tickets, occasionally receives a portion of food to help her get through her long journey. "Lottery ticket sellers, scrap collectors, or those in difficult circumstances can come here to receive meals. I only come occasionally to receive food, not as regularly as others," Ms. Dung explained.

Sharing a similar difficult situation, Mr. Lam Huynh Anh Huy (residing in Tan Ninh ward) said that he used to earn a living by delivering gas. In recent years, he has been unemployed and often comes here to receive meals. "I am very grateful to Ms. Nga for her help and kindness," Mr. Huy said.

It is known that in Tay Ninh province, charitable kitchens and programs providing meals to people in difficult circumstances are regularly organized by philanthropists, helping to alleviate the burden on vulnerable individuals.

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Source: https://baotayninh.vn/am-long-nhung-bua-com-tu-thien-147194.html