International relief organization Rise Against Hunger Philippines launched a mobile kitchen jeepney in partnership with Kain Tayo Pilipinas program, mobilizing added resources to alleviate hunger in the Philippines. Together, they have revolutionized how companies and organizations can provide support to communities in need by creating a model which they could easily replicate and sustain. As a step towards alleviating hunger and malnutrition, the mobile kitchen is equipped with a fully functioning kitchen that can serve up to 6,000 meals a month. The mobile kitchen in the form of a jeepney features a modern version of the Filipino mythical bird Sarimanok, a design conceptualized by Architect Deo Alam where the beak of the bird translates to bringing food to the people.
“We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of our partner organizations who continuously supported us to address the root of the nation’s concern on involuntary hunger including challenges on food production, food distribution, and accessibility. We hope through mobilizing the first mobile jeepney kitchen, we can encourage more organizations to provide aid to more Filipinos especially during this time of crises,” said Rise Against Hunger Philippines Executive Director, Jomar Fleras.
Together with representatives from both organizations, and in collaboration with the Local Council of Women, the mobile kitchen officially rolls out its operations at Barangay Rosario, Pasig City where it will be serving lunch-time meals. Throughout the project, mobile kitchens and food banks will be stationed in different barangays across the cities of Pasig, Taguig, and Manila thrice a week every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The program aims to prepare 500 meals for every individual every day with its mission to address the nutritionally at-risk Filipinos.
The mobile kitchen was launched at Pasig Elementary School on September 30, with 100 of the city’s jeepney drivers and their families invited as guests. Apart from the food from the kitchen, they also received free vaccinations through a donation from San Miguel Foundation.
Together with the other private sector organizations, Rise Against Hunger Philippines appeals to the Filipino communities, organizations to join the program to provide more mobile jeepney kitchens to be made available to reach more communities in the country.
The private sector, in collaboration with non-government organizations (NGOs) and government partners, launched Kain Tayo Pilipinas, the flagship program of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, a multi-sectoral movement behind Task Force Zero Hunger which aims to eradicate hunger in the country. Kain Tayo Pilipinas is an initiative that invites everyone including the public to help feed more Filipino children and equip families with nutrition information to help alleviate malnutrition especially amongst children 5 years and below.
The three-fold approach of feeding, education, and collaboration, guides the program to holistically address the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the country. The feeding programs of the various organizations will be complemented by an education program to ensure that families are equipped to sustainably provide nutritious meals for everyone in the household.
For companies or organizations that wish to contribute to eradicating hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines, you may send an email to kaintayo@pbsp.org.ph. To know more about Rise Against Hunger, follow @RiseAgainstHungerPhil and @PilipinasKainTayo on Facebook, or visit riseagainsthunger.org.ph and kaintayopilipinas.com
