“Zero-dong” kitchen spreading love and kindness

Acts of kindness often begin with simple gestures, but they help make life more beautiful and spread goodness throughout the community. With that spirit in mind, the Steering Committee for Building a “Cultured and Civilized Urban Lifestyle” of Phu Hoa ward in Thu Dau Mot city has collaborated with donors to implement the model of “Zero-dong” kitchen—bringing love and support to those in need.

Just eat until you're full

This “Zero-dong” kitchen” is located at the Volunteer Park  on Le Hong Phong street, near Dia Chat intersection, quarter 7, Phu Hoa ward. It is supported and operated by Truong Thi Hieu, a local donor. The kitchen serves the poor, workers lottery ticket sellers, lodgers, students and others facing difficult circumstances. Meals are served from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM from Monday to  Friday.

With the desire to share a little love with people who are still facing many difficulties, Mrs. Hieu asked for permission from the local authorities to organize a “Zero-dong” kitchen” and received full support from the local leaders. When all the procedures were completed, she and her group of friends organized this kitchen. Although the kitchen has already had a main sponsor, it gladly welcomes contributions in the form of vegetables, noodles, eggs, or volunteer labor—but does not accept cash donations—so that anyone can take part in spreading love to more people.

Mrs. Hieu is not only the main sponsor providing resources for the kitchen, but also personally serves meals. Alongside her, several close friends in her group actively help out at the kitchen. Some handle vegetable preparation while  others are in charge of cooking, washing dishes, or ladling the broth. Everyone contributes in whatever way they can.

Tran Anh Kiet is the person in charge of preparing the broth at this charity kitchen. He used to run his own eatery, so when he heard Mrs. Hieu sharing her idea of setting up the “Zero-dong” kitchen”, he found it deeply meaningful and eagerly joined in the kitchen.

According to Mr. Kiet, members of the kitchen gathers as early as 4 a.m. to prepare, so they’re ready to serve breakfast at 6 a.m. “Joining in the kitchen to serve meals for the poor, I realized that there are still so many people in need. Just being able to contribute to sharing one breakfast with them brings me great joy. I hope that more people with difficult circumstances will come to know about this kitchen so that the love can continue spreading to even more people”, Mr. Kiet shared emotionally.

Meaningful model

The “Zero-dong” kitchen mainly serves instant noodles, but the broth is made with a variety of vegetables and mushrooms, making it naturally sweet and flavourful. Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can enjoy the meal. For those who eat meat, the kitchen also prepares add-ons such as boiled eggs, sausages or pork to add to their bowls.

Placing a steaming bowl of noodles on the table, Vo Van Si (75 years old, currently renting a room in quarter 8, Phu Hoa ward) took a sip of the broth and smiled in delight: “The broth is so flavorful!”. He shared that he and his wife had just returned from picking vegetables for a Pho (noodles with beef) restaurant in Thuan An city’s An Thanh ward. Every day, they work from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and earn VND 200,000. On average, they earn about VND 6 million per month, but with rent and daily living expenses, their life is still difficult. “My wife and I rarely have breakfast. My husband and I rarely eat breakfast. We eat whatever someone gives us. Otherwise, we come home and eat whatever is available. For people with difficult circumstances like us, having a free breakfast like this, is truly wonderful. And it’s not just served one day a week, but five days — that really helps reduce some of our living expenses", Mr. Si shared.

When the number of guests began to ease, Mrs. Hieu and volunteers at the kitchen took the opportunity to prepare bowls of noodles for themselves. They sat down together for breakfast while discussing how to serve the poor in the next day.

Nguyen Minh Tam, Secretary of Phu Hoa ward’s Party Committee shared that the birth of the “Zero-dong” kitchen is to further promote the role of the ward’s Charity Park. In addition to the “Zero-dong” kitchen, the park also hosts monthly initiatives such as the “Zero-dong market” and the “Zero-dong loving Ao Dai wardrobe” all aimed at supporting disadvantaged residents. “This model is funded through social contributions. The daily operations of the kitchen are managed by donors while the local authorities provide it with material facilities such as electricity, water, security cameras… Mr. Tam said that the local health station also sends staff daily to ensure food safety and retain food samples under regulations.

According to leaders of Phu Hoa ward, the “Zero-dong” kitchen” model not only reflects the spirit of mutual support and compassion from local authorities, leaders and donors towards those in need, but also contributes to building the image of kind, exemplary citizens in the community.In the future, once the “Zero-dong” kitchen” model at the Charity Park operates effectively, the local authorities will expand it to other parks in the area to support more low-income workers.

Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin