Not just a simple meal, the charity meals donated by charity groups and donors are also a way to share and encourage those in difficult situations to have more faith in life.

The charity vegetarian eatery is always crowded with poor labourers. Photo: HUYNH LE

Like many other zero-dong rice shops or charity kitchens, the charity kitchen established by the Buddhist group ‘Thao chay’ (Thao Vegetarian) at 68 Dang Thanh Mai Street, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang since 2023 has become a support for workers, patients, and disadvantaged students. When coming here, they not only receive free meals but also feel the warmth of compassion.

Sharing about this meaningful activity, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, a member of the grou, said that on one occasion when visiting a patient, she saw many poor patients. "To help them reduce some of their life expense burden, we set up a charity group to join hands to cook charity meals to serve patients in difficult circumstances”, Ms. Lien said.

Each month, the group cooks 500 meals at a time and the menu is rotated such as soup, rice, porridge, all are vegetarian, sent to patients at the the Oncology Hospital, Da Nang Hospital, Da Nang C Hospital and Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children. Although the value of each meal is not large, it is enough for the patients to feel the sharing and warmth.

"My family is very poor, fortunately there are benefactors. Every time I receive it, I am touched and feel grateful", patient Pham Thi Nhan, who was under treatment at the Da Nang Hospital, emotionally shared.

Not only Buddhist volunteer groups, but now there are also young people who have set up volunteer teams to help the community. Established in 2019, the DVTC Youth Club has so far organised 10 trips to distribute meals on the streets of Da Nang for street vendors and lottery ticket sellers. To date, the club has attracted the participation of more than 150 members.

Mr. Le Truong Hung Vi, the Head of the DVTC Youth Club, said: “I set up this volunteer group because I have witnessed many difficult situations of children who cannot go to school, and lonely elderly people who have no one to take care of them. From there, I thought I needed to do something to contribute to society and help young people have the opportunity to exchange, learn and do meaningful things.

Despite financial and time difficulties as the members of the DVTC Youth Club are busy working and studying, with love and responsibility, the group still regularly cooperates with other teams in the localities so that each volunteer trip is effective.

Reporting PHAM PHUONG - Translating by ANH THU