In Ho Chi Minh City, Tu Tam kitchen of Giac Tanh Pagoda (Tan Hoa ward) is becoming a warm support for poor workers with hundreds of free vegetarian meals being given every day.
Established in 2020 under the organization and management of Venerable Thich Tri Luc, Abbot of Giac Tanh Pagoda, Tu Tam kitchen has maintained continuous operation for nearly 5 years. The kitchen operates regularly from Monday to Saturday every week, in the time frame from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. On average, every day, 300 to 400 full-food vegetarian meals are prepared and handed directly to people in difficult circumstances.
To have neat meals, from early morning, monks and Buddhists have focused on preparing ingredients and processing. The kitchen's menu is changed regularly, not only ensuring food safety and hygiene but also focusing on nutritional content, suitable for the health of workers.
Venerable Thich Tri Luc shared that the goal of the kitchen is to contribute to sharing difficulties, helping people have a warm lunch to feel more secure in life. This activity is maintained sustainably largely thanks to the companionship of philanthropists and the efforts of Buddhists from funding to kitchen assistants.
Many freelancers and lonely elderly people said that these free meals have significantly reduced their spending burden in the context of rising living costs. Not only material support, Tu Tam kitchen is also a great source of spiritual encouragement, showing the spirit of mutual affection.
With positive contributions to social security work in the locality, the pagoda is expected to continue to maintain and strive to expand the scale of operations in the coming time to support more vulnerable groups in the community.
