On Thursday mornings, Tac Van Parish becomes bustling with the "Zero-VND Breakfast" model carried out right on the campus here. Right from dawn, a group of about 10 volunteers are present to divide up the dishes, tables and chairs, prepare soup and cooked food to display in the large yard. Everyone is ready to wait until 6 o'clock to open the door to welcome people in difficult circumstances, manual workers... to have breakfast.

Father Dinh Thanh Dat, Deputy Parish Priest of Tac Van, the initiator of "Zero-VND Breakfast", shared: “There are many people here in difficult circumstances. Every year I organize the distribution of necessities up to 4 times. However, I find this is not as effective as opening a long-term and sustainable zero-VND restaurant, where the poor can come and have meals. Many non-religious members also participate, helping us implement the model, joining hands to spread charity and love. I hope this activity will continue.”

The funding for the model is mobilized from benefactors inside and outside the province. The good news is that non-religious people also support enthusiastically. Here, those who have money donate money, those who have strength contribute. Many tasks are arranged and divided appropriately by Father Dat and parishioners so that everyone can join hands for this meaningful work. The cooking group will consist of 10 women who are religious and regularly participate in activities at the parish. The women will go to the market, prepare food, cook soup... The service group will consist of men and women who will prepare bowls, tables and chairs... Everyone will gather and carry out the tasks about 3 days before the "Zero-VND Breakfast" takes place.

The cooking team continuously serves customers who eat on site and take away. Despite working continuously, the ladies are still happy.

The cooking team continuously serves customers who eat on site and take away. Despite working continuously, the ladies are still happy.

Ms. Phan Thi Be, Hamlet 3, Tac Van Commune, said: “We are very happy when Father Dat announced that he would implement the model. For us, breakfast is extremely important. Starting a new day with a hot, nutritious and delicious meal makes us work more enthusiastically. Those who come here to eat are all laborers and poor people, so they appreciate it very much. Many uncles and aunts eat there and then ask to bring food home for their sick relatives who cannot move to the parish, we all respond."

On the very first day, "Zero-VND Breakfast" distributed 200 meals, with a total cost of 3.6 million VND. The model will remain open every Thursday. Customers are diverse. In addition to poor workers, children who go to school near the parish but are in difficult circumstances are also welcomed with their parents.

Priest Dinh Thanh Dat confided: “We welcome everyone with all our warmth and love. Not only the poor, but also more than 30 children in the charity class in the parish have this breakfast. The staff serve carefully, observe whether the diners enjoy the meal, and then adjust the cooking and seasoning methods. This concern makes me happy because the next sessions will be of better quality when the staff puts their sincere hearts into it.”

In the midst of rising prices, manual workers and the poor have to struggle to make ends meet, the money they earn is less than their family expenses, and "Free Breakfast" becomes a small consolation for them in their busy lives.

The space for the

The space for the "Free Breakfast" takes place in the Tac Van Parish campus, very spacious and comfortable for visitors.

Sitting at the restaurant and concentrating on enjoying a hot bowl of noodles with fresh shrimp and meat, Mr. Tran Van Nhieu, Hamlet 1, Tac Van Commune, shared: “I drive a motorbike taxi to make a living, my family members are also manual laborers, life is still difficult. Having such a delicious and free breakfast is a blessing. I get to eat it and bring it home for my relatives.”

After rushing to get a motorbike taxi, Mr. Pham Van Khanh (living in Lung Xinh hamlet, Dinh Thanh commune, Dong Hai district, Bac Lieu province) stopped by "Breakfast for free" to pick up a meal for his wife at home who is sick and unable to work. Mr. Khanh's face was brighter when he didn't have to worry about the cost of food today. He said: "My wife's medicine costs a lot. When I wake up, I have to think about earning money for medicine, so breakfast is usually just a potato or corn that the neighbors around give me out of pity. I heard from the motorbike taxi drivers that there is a breakfast for free here, so I came to try it. It's delicious. I also got a portion to bring home for my wife. She must be very happy because she doesn't always get to eat delicious food like that."

The "Zero-VND Breakfast" was bustling with people coming and going with excitement and a positive spirit spreading. The hot bowls of noodles given away were happy smiles received. To enrich the "Zero-VND Breakfast", many benefactors also supported bread, milk... The remaining expenses of the meals will be accumulated for the next meals, in a rolling manner so there is no fear of shortage. If the expenses run out, Father Dat and everyone in the parish will continue to support and mobilize. Just like that, the "Zero-VND Breakfast" takes place with all the efforts, sending love and warmth to workers in difficult circumstances./.

Lam Khanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/-bua-sang-0-dong-am-tinh-giao-xu-a38499.html