The Department of Social Welfare and Development is calling on volunteers and donors to support the expanded operations of its Walang Gutom Kitchens in Pasay City, Cebu City, and Zamboanga City.
The facilities serve Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively, providing vulnerable individuals experiencing hunger with free hot meals for breakfast and lunch every day.
Meals served under the program include Go, Grow, and Glow foods to provide beneficiaries with nutritious, balanced meals while helping to address involuntary hunger.
“We are inviting everyone to share their time and effort in our kitchens located in the cities of Pasay, Cebu, and Zamboanga because this is a collective fight against hunger,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said Monday, July 13.
The nationwide expansion of the Walang Gutom Kitchen program follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that no Filipino family experiences involuntary hunger.
“Following the strict orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to end involuntary hunger, ginagawa namin sa DSWD ang lahat para malabanan itong kagutuman sa bansa. Sisiguraduhin namin na lahat ay welcome sa Walang Gutom Kitchen, basta nakararanas ng kagutuman,” Dumlao said.
Aside from its facility in Pasay City, the DSWD operates a Walang Gutom Kitchen at Pier 4 OKK Square Unit in Cebu City and another at the FGL Building in Zamboanga City.
“Para mapalawak ang naaabot ng ating programa, siniguro namin na mayroong Walang Gutom Kitchen sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao kaya naman nagtayo ang DSWD ng facility sa Cebu City at Zamboanga City na parehong operational mula 6 am hanggang 3pm,” Dumlao said.
Individuals and groups from the private sector, civic organizations, schools, national government agencies, and local government units may volunteer by submitting their information through the DSWD’s online registration form at https://forms.gle/dVnewCCWbPyTbud16.
“Gaya po ng sinasabi ng ating Secretary, Secretary Rex Gatchalian, nangangailangan ng isang whole-of-society approach upang matugunan ang kagutuman. Dito po sa Walang Gutom Kitchen, malaking bahagi po ang mga volunteers natin at mga donors sa pagpapatakbo ng nasabing pasilidad. Kaya’t welcome po ang mga donors at mga volunteers sa ating Kitchen,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Those interested in donating food may contact the DSWD by texting or calling 0945-7948-385.
“To all the individuals who have already volunteered and to those continuously donating food, the DSWD is deeply grateful for your unwavering support,” Dumlao said.