Fragrant 'hanging rice'

On rainy days, late at night, people would timidly knock on doors asking for a few kilograms of rice. A lottery ticket vendor, unfortunately afflicted with a stroke, regularly received a portion just for him each month. A weary-looking street vendor was invited in with the message: "Someone sent this especially for you"...

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong is preparing rice to distribute to people in need.

Without any social media appeals or donation boxes placed outside, a small rice shop in Tan Ninh ward ( Tay Ninh province) has quietly maintained its "hanging rice" model for over half a year.

At first glance, Thanh Phong rice shop on Nguyen Thai Hoc street looks like any other rice shop. However, if you pay attention, you'll notice that occasionally, people with disabilities or elderly lottery ticket vendors receive a 5kg bag of rice as a gift from the shop owner. This is the "suspended rice" that the couple, Nguyen Thanh Phong and Tran Pham Ngoc Chau, who are in their 20s, receive from friends and philanthropists to give to those in need.

Ms. Chau recounted that about two years ago, her family faced a series of misfortunes. It was during that turbulent period that she vowed to become a lifelong vegetarian and wished to live a more meaningful life. Inspired by a "hanging rice" restaurant model they stumbled upon online, Mr. Phong and Ms. Chau created "hanging rice" with the message: "Those who need it, come; those who want to help, send it."

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong brought rice to donate to lottery ticket vendors in the inner city of the Holy See.

Mr. Phong shared that, initially, he and his wife quietly started the project. Later, close friends and relatives learned about it and joined in to support them, depending on their financial situation. “Some people sent 100,000 or 200,000 dong, some donated a few kilograms of rice, and some even sent several million dong at a time. When the donated rice wasn't enough to fill 5kg, the shop would add more. Usually, for donated rice, we would advise or proactively choose high-quality rice at a lower price than usual. Because we think that for those in need, meals might not have many dishes. If the rice is a little better, everyone's meals will be of higher quality,” Mr. Phong shared.

Instead of waiting for people to ask, Mr. Phong often proactively invites lottery ticket vendors, people with disabilities, and others passing by his shop to come in and receive rice. Sometimes, on weekends, he and his wife take their children and bring portions of "hanging rice" to markets, residential areas, temples, etc., to personally hand it out to those in need. "I've experienced hardship myself, so I understand people's circumstances very well. Helping someone ease their burden makes us feel relieved," Ms. Chau said.

Whenever someone sends rice, Mr. Phong carefully records and compiles a clear and detailed list of what has been received and distributed on his personal Facebook page. Although many rice senders request anonymity and don't need to be notified, Mr. Phong and Ms. Chau understand that transparency is the way to maintain trust and spread the model to more people.

Among those receiving rice was Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (born in 1974, residing in Thanh Dien commune), a lottery ticket vendor with a disability in one leg. He expressed: “For others, a few kilograms of rice are not much. But for a laborer like me, it's very precious. Every time I receive rice, I feel comforted and supported… I am truly grateful to you all for thinking of people in need like me.”

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong donated rice to needy people passing by his shop.

Besides donating rice, Phong and Chau also sell it to regular benefactors at a lower price than usual. "We choose to make less profit so that more rice can reach the poor. Both of us have experienced loss, so we understand the value of a warm meal and feel happy to share," Chau confided.

And so, from a few hundred kilograms to several tons of rice, donations were collected from generous people. At its peak, there were months when the whole family had to work all day packing, loading, and transporting the rice to various places: Go Ken Pagoda, the Association of the Blind, the Provincial Social Welfare Center, etc.

What makes the "hanging rice" model so enduring and widespread is not the quantity of rice distributed, but the way people share with each other with sincerity and kindness. As Mr. Phong explained: "The government takes care of big things like building houses for the poor. As citizens, we can do what we can. Giving away a portion of rice helps those in need have a little extra money to buy better food, or save on expenses for other things in life."

"Suspended rice" is a form of donation where a person can send at least one portion of rice to be given to someone in need, without verification or formalities. Each portion of "suspended rice" is a message of love.

Hoa Khang - Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/thom-thao-gao-treo-a200108.html