Operating consistently for the past 29 years, the charitable kitchen at the Giồng Riềng Medical Center in Giồng Riềng commune regularly serves three free meals and hot water in the morning, noon, and afternoon for patients and their caregivers. Each day, the kitchen provides approximately 300 meals.
Mr. Huynh Van Chuong - Head of the Management Board of the Charitable Kitchen at Giong Rieng Medical Center, Giong Rieng commune, presents free meals to the people.
"A bite when hungry is worth more than a whole meal when full," this saying has guided the charitable journey of Mr. Huynh Van Chuong, Head of the Charity Kitchen at Giong Rieng Medical Center. For many, the image of hot meals has become a familiar part of life in the hospital. Around 5 AM, 10 AM, and 3 PM daily, relatives of patients come to receive meals or exchange their hot water bottles.
Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Nho, residing in Hoa Hung commune, said that her family is facing financial difficulties. Both her father-in-law and her own father had to receive treatment at the Giong Rieng Medical Center, and the costs of travel and patient care made life even more difficult. During their treatment there, the free meal service became a practical support for her family. “The charity kitchen helps reduce the expenses for the poor, and the meals are sufficient for those caring for the sick,” Ms. Nho shared. Thanks to the free porridge and rice, Ms. Nho can save money to buy nutritious food for her father, while she uses the vegetarian meals from the kitchen to save on expenses.
According to Mr. Chuong, each meal distributed not only provides material support but also serves as encouragement for patients and their families during this difficult time. "As long as people have a delicious and satisfying meal, I'm happy," Mr. Chuong said.
Every day, Mr. Chuong, his wife, and the kitchen staff prepare 250-300 meals, depending on donations from benefactors. Each meal costs approximately 20,000 VND. While not a huge sum, maintaining hundreds of meals daily amidst fluctuating ingredient prices is a significant effort. Thanks to the support of various organizations and individuals providing charitable food, the kitchen's input costs haven't increased significantly. The meals remain nutritious and of high quality, with a diverse menu, contributing to the well-being of patients and their caregivers.
With the same spirit of sharing, for over three years, the Thien Tam zero-cost kitchen, run by Ms. Nguyen Thuy Hang in Rach Gia ward, has regularly prepared free vegetarian meals three days a week. Each day, the kitchen prepares nearly 1,500 meals to deliver directly to poor patients and people in difficult circumstances. Ms. Hang said that initially, she planned to distribute meals on the 15th day of each lunar month. However, witnessing many poor people who arrived later not receiving any food, she felt troubled. In 2023, with the support of the local Red Cross and the assistance of friends and relatives who lent her space, she established the Thien Tam zero-cost kitchen.
What touched Ms. Hang the most was the increasing spread of charitable activities and the support they received from many kind-hearted people. Small traders regularly donated vegetables and fruits. Many philanthropists contributed rice and spices. Members of the group contributed money and labor. Thanks to this, the kitchen maintained stable operations without needing frequent fundraising.
With the motto "those who have can donate, those who need can receive," the Thien Tam zero-cost kitchen has increasingly gained the trust and affection of the people. To date, the model has developed into three operating points: the main distribution point at 51 Nguyen Van Troi Street; the on-site service point at Lot C11-40, 3 Thang 2 Street; and a fixed distribution point for poor patients at Kien Giang Oncology Hospital.
Despite being busy with her business, Ms. Hang still tries to arrange time to keep the charity kitchen running regularly. For her, this is not just a charitable act but also a heartfelt desire stemming from her own experiences. "Having lived in poverty, I believe that when I have the means, I will do charity work. Therefore, when my family's business stabilized and life improved, I have been doing charity work ever since," Ms. Hang said.
As one of the regular recipients of meals at the Thien Tam 0-Dong kitchen, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay, residing in Dinh Hoa commune, said that caring for her child undergoing dialysis has further strained her already difficult family finances . The free meals help her reduce some of the living expenses during the long period of supporting her child's treatment. "The kitchen offers a variety of dishes, usually 3-4 items a day, which greatly helps poor people and patients," Ms. Bay shared.
Amidst the hardships of life, free meals have become a practical form of sharing for poor laborers and patients. Despite facing numerous difficulties, Ms. Hang remains steadfast in her initial commitment: "As long as there are people who need them and my job is stable, I will continue this activity for the long term."
From humble kitchens, meals of compassion are regularly distributed every day. Behind this is the collective effort of philanthropists, the dedication of volunteers, and a belief in the value of kindness. It is from these simple things that community solidarity continues to be nurtured and spread, providing support for the vulnerable during difficult times and ensuring that no one is left behind.
MOC TRA
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/bep-an-0-dong-giua-bao-gia--a488153.html
