The meaning of "Free Rice"

Updated date: 04/01/2025 05:18:11

DTO - For more than 3 years, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ward 4 (Cao Lanh City) has coordinated with the Women's Union and the Red Cross of Ward 4 to maintain the "Free Rice" model at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hamlet 2, with the participation of more than 15 retired officials, members, and women in Ward 4. The "Free Rice" model's meaningful meals help people in difficult circumstances to be full on their journey to make a living, adding motivation and confidence to rise up in life.

Retired cadres, members, and women of Ward 4, Cao Lanh City participate in the "Free Rice" model to support people in difficult circumstances.

The "Zero-VND Rice" model was established in December 2022. To have funds to organize rice cooking and giving to people in difficult circumstances, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ward 4 mobilized Dong Thap Lottery Company Limited, Cong Thi Lottery Agent (Cao Lanh City) and benefactors in Ho Chi Minh City to support monthly. At the same time, the Women's Union of Ward 4 mobilized retired cadres, members and women to participate. With the spirit of volunteering for the community, members of the "Zero-VND Rice" model participate in cooking rice twice a week.

As scheduled, at exactly 4:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday, members of the "Free Rice" model gather at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hamlet 2 to prepare meals to give to lottery ticket sellers and workers from poor and disadvantaged households. In the simple temporary kitchen space at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hamlet 2, the members participating in the "0 Dong Rice" model are all busy, each with a job, some washing rice to cook, peeling vegetables, washing meat, fish... Ms. Nguyen Thi Bach Cuc (born in 1954), residing in Hamlet 1, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City, shared: "Every day, I wake up at 4 am to exercise, then go to the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hamlet 2 with the sisters to prepare to cook rice. Although the kitchen work is hard, I feel very happy and wish to have a lot of health to continue participating in this volunteer work to share some of the difficulties in life with lottery ticket sellers, poor and near-poor households in the ward".

In each stage of processing, the ladies are meticulous and careful to ensure nutrition and food safety. The cooking menu is carefully selected by the members and changed regularly such as: braised snakehead fish with gourd, fried sea fish, stir-fried pork with shrimp paste and soups: cucumber, bitter melon, gourd... In particular, members participating in the "0 Dong Rice" model also contribute money to buy kitchen utensils or spices such as sugar, MSG... to cook a more complete and delicious meal.

Ms. Huynh Hoa Phuong - Head of the Women's Association of Hamlet 2, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City, said: "I have been involved in this model since its establishment. To carefully prepare the two weekly rice distribution sessions, my members and I plan the menu, go to the market to buy ingredients and prepare them the day before. Early the next morning, everyone gathers together to cook rice and dishes and put them in boxes. At exactly 9 o'clock, we deliver hot meals to lottery ticket sellers, poor and near-poor households."

People in difficult circumstances receive free rice at the "0 VND Rice" model in Ward 4, Cao Lanh City.

Currently, the "0 VND Rice" model supports free rice for lottery ticket sellers, poor and near-poor households in Ward 4 every Tuesday and Friday, 140 meals per day, worth 25,000 VND/meal. Mr. Tran Van Hong (born in 1961), residing in Hamlet 3, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City, confided: "I work as a street lottery ticket seller, earning about 150,000 VND per day. My income is small but I have to take care of my family's living expenses, so I eat very frugally. Recently, I have received rice from the ward's "0 VND Rice" model. I am very grateful and feel warm when receiving these free meals, helping me reduce difficulties in life."

Comrade Bui Kim Phung - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ward 4, Cao Lanh City, said: "Although the value of the meals is not much, it is the wholeheartedness and practical sharing of the local government, retired cadres, members, and women of Ward 4 for the poor, thereby promoting the spirit of "The good leaves cover the torn leaves" in the community. In the coming time, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ward 4 will continue to mobilize resources from sponsors to support and maintain the "0 VND Rice" model to support lottery ticket sellers, poor and near-poor households in the ward to reduce difficulties in life".

MY XUYEN

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/nghia-tinh-nhung-suat-com-0-dong--130306.aspx