The grateful kitchen of Ms. Xuan's family and her associates

Over the past two months, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan's family's charity kitchen on Phan Chu Trinh street, Lai Thieu ward, Thuan An city, Binh Duong province, has become a familiar destination every afternoon from Monday to Friday. The kitchen provides affordable, hygienic, and delicious meals to those in need in the area, such as lottery ticket sellers, motorbike taxi drivers, and other workers facing hardships.

Thanks to the early and meticulous preparations by Ms. Xuan and her team, every step of the cooking process is carried out carefully and meets hygiene standards. This charity kitchen not only offers nutritious meals but also embodies the spirit of mutual support within the community, helping those who are struggling in life.

The work at this charity kitchen is organized in a very methodical and orderly manner. All the cooking equipment is prepared early, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Those involved in operating this special kitchen, from grocery shopping, cooking, to serving and washing dishes, are mainly family members. Each person works independently without needing any reminders, and they all perform their tasks skillfully and in harmony.

Everyone puts their heart and soul into preparing delicious meals, ensuring that the food is clean and safe. The ingredients are carefully selected to guarantee quality and hygiene, as they understand the importance of providing nutritious meals for the community.

A member of Ms. Xuan's family confided:

“Honestly, all of us work with our hearts to create the most meaningful dishes. Many people say this job is hard, but for me, that difficulty is just a small part of it. When I see my efforts being rewarded, when people are happy and finish all the food I've prepared, I feel truly happy. At first, it might seem a bit strange and tiring, but after about half a month, I got used to it, and the work started to feel more natural.

There’s no need for reminders because seeing everyone eat happily warms my heart. Everyone enjoys a delicious meal, and that brings me great joy. The more I see people's happiness, the more I realize how meaningful this work is. My heart feels warmer, and I know this is the job I want to do.”

The kitchen opens promptly at 11:00 am, with meals neatly arranged on trays and set out on the tables before opening to accommodate the expected number of guests. Anyone in need can visit the charity kitchen, although the primary clientele consists of poor workers facing difficult circumstances. On average, the kitchen serves around 600 people each day, sometimes reaching up to 700 meals. To keep things interesting and avoid monotony, the menu is frequently updated, offering a variety of dishes to cater to different tastes.

Confessions of people coming to eat:

“The meals here are not only delicious and clean but also cost-effective. In fact, the food here is often tastier than what I can cook at home. Due to my family’s difficult circumstances, I can’t cook much myself. However, the service here is always enthusiastic and friendly. When people come to eat, they are served with warmth and comfort, making the dining experience pleasant and ensuring they feel well taken care of.”

According to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Xuan, the kitchen was established with the aim of sharing difficulties with poor workers and bringing joy to the elderly as well as everyone involved in building the kitchen. The staff here are very friendly and familiar with Mrs. Xuan's family, reflecting a deep commitment and bond with the work.

Mrs. Xuan confided:

“For many years, I have had the opportunity to work at the kitchen to show my gratitude and support the people in Thuan An district. It has been almost two months now. My family doesn’t have much, but we don’t need financial support from others. If anyone wishes to visit and donate food, please feel free to bring it. We don’t need money, only food donations. If your family can help, we would be very grateful. We hope to continue operating this kitchen for a long time, providing warm and compassionate meals to those in need.”

Through Mrs. Xuan's story, we see that dedication and compassion are not only the driving forces behind charitable activities but also the foundation for fostering warmth and love within the community. By sharing her challenges and supporting those around her, Mrs. Xuan provides not only essential meals but also joy and comfort to those in difficult situations.

The message I want to convey is to always maintain a spirit of kindness and be ready to support others within your means. Even small acts, such as donating food or simply sharing love, contribute to building a connected and vibrant community. Together, we can create a society where sharing and compassion are core values, bringing happiness and warmth to everyone.