Charity Kitchen - More than just a meal

There are people who silently prepare nutritious meals every day and hand them out to poor workers and patients in difficult circumstances as a way to give strength and will to live to those less fortunate.

From 3,000 VND rice shop to free kitchen

At 4 a.m., the small kitchen in alley 14A Dien Bien Phu street (Ninh Thanh ward, Tay Ninh province) was already red hot. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (50 years old) was cutting vegetables and tubers while reminding the kitchen assistants: "Today we are cooking new rice, Mr. Nhan, remember to check the water, this rice should be cooked with less water than usual, otherwise it will be mushy and not tasty; Ms. Thuan is helping pick the water spinach, we will stir-fry it later...". Around, people were cutting, washing rice, and cooking, each person had a task, rhythmically like a familiar wheel.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan is distributing sweet rice balls to give to people on Vu Lan festival.

This is the house of an acquaintance that Ms. Lan has lent to her to use as a vegetarian kitchen for over 6 years now. She said that the charity kitchen originated from a 3,000 VND vegetarian restaurant that she and her husband opened 13 years ago.

“Back then, I was also having a hard time. Later, when my business was doing a bit better, I wanted to share with those in difficult circumstances, so my husband and I opened a restaurant. At that time, I thought of opening a restaurant so that anyone in need would have a place to eat. The price was 3,000 VND, whether you eat a lot or a little, it was the same!” - Ms. Lan recalled.

At first, the couple managed everything themselves, from renting the premises to buying ingredients. The shop became a familiar destination for people in difficult circumstances and gradually spread the spirit of charity to many people.

“At first, I didn’t dare accept support from anyone. I thought I had to take care of it myself, but then many people came to support me so that we could spread good things,” said Lan.

Every day, 300 meals are shared with the hearts of everyone, some contribute money, some contribute labor, some send a few bags of rice, some donate vegetables, tubers, fruits, etc. Mrs. Sau Cam, 75 years old, has been there every day to pick vegetables and help clean up with everyone for the past 6 years. Mr. Sau Hanh, a volunteer who has been with the restaurant since the 3,000 VND meal, is responsible for dividing and transporting the rice. Mrs. Tran Thi Muong, who lives near the restaurant, sets aside a little money every month to help in the kitchen. She said: "Sometimes 100,000 VND, sometimes 200,000 VND, I want to contribute a small part to help in the kitchen."

Many vegetables and fruits are supported by benefactors for vegetarian kitchens.

At exactly 10 o'clock, the rice was divided into boxes with 7 dishes: 4 stir-fried and boiled dishes; 2 braised dishes and 1 soup dish. Then the motorbikes carried the rice to 3 familiar distribution points: Ward 4 market (Vo Thi Sau street, Tan Ninh ward), Gate 4 of the Holy See (Long Hoa ward) and a point in alley 4, Nguyen Van Rop street (Tan Ninh ward). And of course, the kitchen also distributed the meals right at the kitchen in alley 14A, Dien Bien Phu street.

Not stopping at meals, when a family in difficult circumstances encounters an emergency, Ms. Lan and her parishioners and friends come to support from burial to logistics. “Whether in the province or outside the province, when we know the information, we are always ready to arrange to support the families. Everything is free. Many kind-hearted people know what we do and join hands to help the families overcome difficult times.”

On the occasion of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the vegetarian kitchen also cooked more than 2,000 sweet rice balls to give to everyone. This is a regular activity of the group every Vu Lan festival. Each portion of sweet rice balls given out, receiving smiles, for Ms. Lan, that is the most precious reward.

Sharing from the heart

Although there is no fixed cooking time, the volunteer group of Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Lien (66 years old, living in Ninh Son ward) still maintains bringing warm meals to poor patients 2-3 times/month.

Ms. Lien's group has about 6 people who are relatives. Near the cooking day, she contacted the social work department of Tay Ninh General Hospital to register the distribution date and quantity.

“On average, we serve about 500 portions at a time, sometimes banh canh, sometimes banh uot, sometimes vegetarian rice, sometimes non-vegetarian rice. My sisters and I don’t call for donations, but close friends sometimes contribute a little to share with the sick,” Ms. Lien shared.

The rice portions of Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Lien's volunteer group are prepared to be brought to Tay Ninh General Hospital.

From early morning, the whole group was busy preparing and cooking. By noon, the food was loaded onto the truck and taken to the hospital. There, each meal was handed to the patients and their relatives. "Sometimes, standing in the middle of the hospital yard, watching the patients and their relatives eating delicious bowls of noodle soup, all the fatigue just disappeared" - Ms. Lien smiled gently.

For Ms. Lien and her group, volunteering is not about waiting until you have enough conditions; when you have a lot, you help a lot, when you have a little, you help a little. Her story is as simple as the meals that the group painstakingly prepares.

Many people in difficult circumstances come to receive rice at the vegetarian kitchen.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, there are still kitchens quietly burning every day. From Lan’s small alley to Lien’s family kitchen, love is conveyed in each meal.

It is not only meals but also encouragement and sharing. And it is these charity kitchens that have contributed to spreading good things in life./.

Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/bep-an-tu-thien-hon-ca-mot-bua-com-a202281.html