 |
| The students are the "special" customers of this school canteen. |
Free meals - warming hearts, filling stomachs.
"The Grandmothers' Kitchen" is the affectionate name for the "Zero-Cost Meal Kitchen" of the Huu Thien Charity Club in An Quy hamlet, Tan Hung commune. Choosing to cook vegetarian dishes, the kitchen is open on the 14th, 15th, 29th, and 30th of each lunar month. In the 7th lunar month, the kitchen cooks for the entire month to serve the local community. On the scheduled day, from 5 am onwards, the kitchen grounds are lit up. Some people are sorting vegetables and preparing ingredients, while in another corner, wood-fired stoves burn continuously as other members stir-fry, cook, and prepare the dishes. Using vegetables and fruits donated by benefactors, the grandmothers create menus and prepare many vegetarian dishes that are both visually appealing and nutritious, aiming to provide a delicious meal for those who consume them.
Ms. Le Thi Than, a member of the kitchen staff, shared: "Now that I'm older and don't have much work to do, I spend my time here helping out in the kitchen. Seeing everyone enjoy their meals makes me very happy."
Each time they light the fire, the "Zero-Cost Meal Kitchen" cooks about 500 lunch meals with over 20 different dishes… Choosing to cook meals for students and the poor is not an easy task for the elderly, but the members of the kitchen are all happy with their achievements.
"The women never thought it was hard work serving others; on the contrary, everyone was very happy. Cooking was tiring, but seeing people enjoy the food made all the fatigue disappear, and everyone felt cheerful," shared Ms. Tran Thi My Lan, the "head chef" of this free meal kitchen.
Designed as a self-service buffet, starting at 10:30 AM, people come here to choose their favorite dishes. The meals are beautifully presented, and diners can choose whatever they like, sharing the joy of both giver and receiver.
Ms. Le Thi Ngoan (residing in Tra Thanh - Lo O hamlet, Tan Hung commune) shared: "The food here is delicious and free. The staff are very enthusiastic, the cooking is flavorful, and they are very kind."
At the "Zero-Cost Meal Kitchen," the special "customers" are the local students. Although they could go home to eat with their parents after school, they regularly come here to eat on the days the kitchen is open. Delicious food and a warm feeling are what they appreciate.
receive.
Besides her own efforts to maintain the free meal service, Ms. Lam Thi Kim Phung also mobilized her siblings and children to provide additional support. Ms. Phung's pioneering spirit is also the motivation for the members of the Free Meal Service, who, despite being tired due to old age, still strive to maintain their commitment.
Mr. VU VAN TAI, Head of the Zero-Cost Meal Kitchen
A stopover of love
Connecting kind hearts is important, but few know that behind the kitchen lies the quiet role of Ms. Lam Thi Kim Phung, Vice Head of the Huu Thien Charity Club. Three years ago, at nearly 70 years old, she went around persuading people, including her children, to participate in opening this kitchen with the sole purpose of spreading the spirit of love to everyone. Three years have passed, and several philanthropists and small business owners have learned about it and donated rice, vegetables, and fruits. Delicious meals and the smiles of everyone are Ms. Phung's greatest joy.
“I think everyone in life has a kind heart, wanting to be good and do good deeds. If you have money, you can do many good things, but if you have little money, you can do small things to help others and live a decent life. It's hard work, and tiring, but seeing the children and the elderly eating and praising how delicious it is makes me very happy, because my efforts are appreciated by everyone.”
Ms. Phung shared.
To ensure delicious meals, before cooking, Mrs. Phung always tries to receive whatever anyone gives her, so as not to disappoint those who are kind enough to help. At 70 years old, she can no longer ride a motorbike steadily, so she relies on her children and grandchildren to take her. From jackfruit and bananas to bundles of vegetables, she diligently gathers everything and brings it back to the kitchen to prepare delicious dishes. In addition, she encourages family members to participate in making and selling sticky rice cakes (banh tet and banh it) to raise funds for the kitchen. From the kitchen staff to those who know the reason, everyone is grateful for her meaningful actions.
In life, the love, compassion, and sharing of benevolent hearts are always beautiful traditions of our nation, embodying the values of "helping those in need" and "loving others as you love yourself." The "zero-cost meal kitchen" established by elderly people – ordinary individuals with incredibly noble deeds – is like a "seed" that blossoms, nurturing a more loving, happy, and better society. Through this, they contribute to working together with local authorities to effectively implement social welfare programs, achieve sustainable poverty reduction, and improve the quality of life for the people.
Thanh Nga
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202511/bep-com-cua-cac-u-1c508e1/
Comment (0)