Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has called for food donations from restaurants and fast foods, as well as from individuals who are willing to render volunteer service in the newly-opened Walang Gutom Kitchen.
“Gusto kong ipabatid sa inyo na humahanap kami ng food donations pati na rin service donations. Hinihikayat namin ang mga organisasyon at indibidwal na gustong tumulong laban sa kagutuman na magtungo lamang sa Walang Gutom Kitchen sa Nasdake Building sa Pasay City para maging volunteer server natin for the day,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a video message posted on Saturday ( December 21) on the DSWD Facebook page.
Launched on December 16, the Walang Gutom Kitchen is the DSWD’s latest innovative program that offers holistic solutions to homelessness and hunger.
Its primary clientele are children, individuals, and families in street situations and other Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger.
Apart from addressing involuntary hunger, Secretary Gatchalian said the kitchen will also prevent food wastage.
“Una sa lahat, gusto nating sugpuin ang kagutuman. Pero saan natin kukunin ang mga pagkain? Dahil food bank din ang soup kitchen na ito, dito binabagsak ng mga hotel, restaurant, at mga fast food ang mga sobra nilang bentahin at mga pagkain na hindi nila nakonsumo sa araw na iyon,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
The DSWD chief added: “Kaysa itapon lamang at masayang, ngayon ay mayroon na silang pwedeng paglagyan at i-donate na lugar kung saan naman ang DSWD ay ipamamahagi ito at ise-serve ito sa mga kababayan natin na nakararanas ng kagutuman, mga pamilya na nakatira sa lansangan, mga indibidwal at kabataan na nakararanas ng pansamantalang kagutuman.”
Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD will open more soup kitchens nationwide to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s vision of a hunger-free Philippines.
“Makalipas ang ilang buwan, bubuksan pa natin ang mas marami pang Walang Gutom Kitchen sa buong bansa para masiguro natin na ang pangarap ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr ay maging reyalidad na. Ito ay ang mawakasan ang kagutuman,” the DSWD chief said.
The Nestle Philippines has donated 300 pieces of 1 kg pack of powdered chocolate while Bossing Nation has given 5 boxes of dishwashing liquid.
The Secretary’s video message can be viewed here: YouTube https://youtu.be/bE6-_ftSzsI fb: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19hpyQUid6/
