SOCIAL Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian says the agency’s newest convergence initiative, the Walang Gutom Kitchen, will help minimize food wastage in the country.
“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank where the private and public sectors will converge to prevent food wastage and address involuntary hunger in Metro Manila. We intend to expand this type of food bank nationwide,” Gatchalian said.
He stressed that the program will adhere to the provisions of Republic Act 9803 or the Food Donation Act of 2009 in creating measures to encourage the donation of wholesome food for charitable purposes.
“Our plan is to expand it later on and open more branches so that our compatriots in the private sector who have excess food, they can drop it here at Walang Gutom Kitchen for our hungry compatriots. They can come here anytime to get free food,” Gatchalian said.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen, located at the former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators hub later redesigned by the DSWD, also features the convergence of the three innovative programs of the agency. These are the Pag-Abot Program, Walang Gutom Program, and the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.
Clients who were reached out through the Pag-Abot Program referred to as walk-ins will be provided with food and other basic necessities upon the assessment of social workers.
The Walang Gutom Kitchen will also facilitate personalized case management of clients including assessment, intervention, planning and progress tracking of homeless individuals for their development.
Through the establishment of Tara, Basa! reading corners, clients will be able to access learning and developmental interventions such as parenting education and character-building activities that will be held in the multipurpose facility.
The launch of the Walang Gutom Kitchen was attended by First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, who joined Secretary Gatchalian and private sector partners in distributing hot meals to the kitchen’s beneficiaries.
