More than 23,000 hot meals have been served to individuals experiencing involuntary hunger at the Walang Gutom Kitchen of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“After a little more than a month since its launching, we have served a total of 23,245 meals to more than 18,000 individuals, mostly families and children in street situations,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said on Monday (January 27).

Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Walang Gutom Kitchen is open to all individuals experiencing hunger, while those who have been served can go back to the soup kitchen.

“There is a difference between the meals served and the number of beneficiaries because beneficiaries are allowed to go back. We can monitor it in our system because you need to register on your first entry,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD is equally thankful to the private organizations which have donated surplus food and to the groups and individuals who have rendered volunteer service at the kitchen.

“As mentioned by Secretary Rex Gatchalian in his interviews, while the DSWD provides manpower and we pay for the utilities, everything else is powered by the private sector,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

As of January 27, a total of 499 individuals have volunteered to help in the Walang Gutom Kitchen by serving food; controlling the crowd inside and outside the facility; assisting in nutrition education sessions, tutorial/storytelling for children; and overseeing the registration area.

Currently, the Walang Gutom Kitchen’s partners and donors include the Office of First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos; Gardenia Bakeries Inc.; Unilever; Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA); Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.; Jollibee Group Foundation; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines; Inc., Nestle; Century Pacific; Monde Nissin Foundation, Inc.; Discovery Primea Hotel; Bossing Marketing; Barkadang Walang Pangalan; So Family; Vanessa Jane Lusaria; and Jaime Ching.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen is the latest innovation of the DSWD aimed at addressing involuntary hunger and reducing food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for individuals experiencing hunger.

The soup kitchen is located at the Nasdake Building, a former POGO hub in Pasay City. # (YADP)

 

Tagalog Version

Walang Gutom Kitchen ng DSWD, nakapaghain ng 23,000 hot meals sa loob ng 1 buwan

Mahigit sa 23,000 hot meals ang naihain ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen sa mga indibidwal na nakararanas ng pagkagutom sa halos isang buwan nitong operasyon.

“After a little more than a month since its launching, we have served a total of 23,245 meals to more than 18,000 individuals, mostly families and children in street situations,”sabi ni DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

Ayon kay Asst. Secretary Dumlao ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay bukas para sa lahat ng indibidwal na nakakaranas ng gutom. Maaari din aniyang bumalik ang mga ito sa soup kitchen upang mag-avail ng libreng pagkain.

“There is a difference between the meals served and the number of beneficiaries because beneficiaries are allowed to go back. We can monitor it in our system because you need to register on your first entry,” dagdag pa ng DSWD spokesperson.

Nagpahayag din ng pasasalamat si Asst. Secretary Dumlao sa mga private organizations na nagbigay ng kanilang surplus food gayundin sa mga volunteers na tumulong upang magbigay ng kanilang serbisyo sa soup kitchen.

“As mentioned by Secretary Rex Gatchalian in his interviews, while the DSWD provides manpower and we pay for the utilities, everything else is powered by the private sector,” sabi pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Batay sa tala, may kabuuang 499 individuals ang nag-volunteer na tumulong sa Walang Gutom Kitchen upang mag-serve ng pagkain; magkontrol ng pila sa loob at labas ng facility; at umasiste sa nutrition education sessions, tutorial/storytelling para sa mga bata at mamahala sa registration area.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay may mga partners at donors na tulad ng Office of First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos; Gardenia Bakeries Inc.; Unilever; Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA); Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.; Jollibee Group Foundation; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines; Inc., Nestle; Century Pacific; Monde Nissin Foundation, Inc.; Discovery Primea Hotel; Bossing Marketing; Barkadang Walang Pangalan; So Family; Vanessa Jane Lusaria; at Jaime Ching.

Ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay makikita sa Nasdake Building sa Pasay City.# (MVC)