Before launching the zero-dong rice shop, the Kien Luong District Red Cross Society has been cooking and distributing free rice at the District Medical Center since 2006. Every day, the kitchen distributes an average of 300-350 free rice and porridge portions to patients and relatives of patients in difficult circumstances at the District Medical Center. Realizing the meaningful work of the kitchen, many philanthropists and businesses have supported the budget, helping the kitchen maintain stable operations until now.
In early July 2023, the District Red Cross launched a zero-dong rice shop model with the desire to bring free meals to poor workers, workers, construction workers, lottery ticket sellers, island students with difficult circumstances... Every day from 10:00 to 11:30, people can go to the kitchen to eat.
Workers in Kien Luong district eat at a zero-dong restaurant.
Being present at the free meal distribution time at the zero-dong restaurant, I could feel the joy of the workers and poor laborers when holding the zero-dong meals in their hands. The meaningful meals warm the hearts of those who still have many difficulties in life. Ms. La Thi Thanh, living in Lo Bom quarter, Kien Luong town (Kien Luong) shared: “My family is a poor household, I live with my son and 4 grandchildren. Life is difficult and lacking, thanks to the free meals, my grandmother and I also save money on meals during the day. I really hope that in the near future, the kitchen can increase cooking to 2 meals/day, which will greatly help poor families like us to have more complete meals”.
According to comrade Le Hoang Dung - Chairman of the Kien Luong District Red Cross Society, after more than 17 years of operation, the kitchen has been maintained stably thanks to the contributions of domestic and foreign benefactors who donated money, rice, and necessities. In addition, there are also significant contributions from members of the District Red Cross Society's Social Work Committee. Each participant has different living conditions, but all share a common volunteer heart, wishing to share and help difficult circumstances in the community. To prepare for the daily meal, the members, without anyone telling anyone, divide the work themselves, work together, with a spirit of volunteerism, completing the work as quickly as possible.
Members of the zero-dong kitchen are getting food for workers in Kien Luong district.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuong (62 years old), residing in Hoa Dien commune (Kien Luong) has been a member of the kitchen since its early days. Ms. Cuong said: “Although my house is far away, I do not hesitate to work in the kitchen because this is a meaningful job, so my family is also very supportive. Seeing the workers have delicious, full meals, I feel very happy”.
“Currently, the kitchen serves an average of 50-100 meals per session at the zero-dong restaurant, while still maintaining cooking and distributing free meals at the Kien Luong District Medical Center 3 times a day. Due to limited funding for the kitchen, cooking for the zero-dong restaurant is only maintained once a day, except for Saturdays and Sundays. The district Red Cross Society plans to continue calling for sponsors to increase the number to 2 meals per day, while improving the quality of meals so that more poor workers and students can be helped,” said Mr. Le Hoang Dung.
Article and photos: THUY TRANG
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