With the purpose of sharing difficulties with poor patients, since 2009 Dau Tieng district Red Cross society in cooperation with Lien Tri Temple in the same district has set up a charity kitchen at Dau Tieng district general hospital. Thenceforth, the charity kitchen has become a mainstay for hundreds of needy patients by offering meals full of charitable hearts.

Free portions help poor patients feel warm.Over the past 3 years, from Monday till Friday, volunteers of the charity kitchen right from early morning prepare portions for underprivileged patients and their relatives who are treating at Dau Tieng district general hospital. Since its inception, the charity kitchen has served 2 meals per day. On average, the kitchen offers more than 200 free portions for poor patients and their relatives. Taking charge of cooking at the kitchen, Mrs. Nguyen Bach Tuyet, the chef of the charity kitchen said that to cater timely for poor patients, the kitchen's volunteers must arrange their family works and be presented at the kitchen at 7 a.m. Through the small but significant work, Tuyet also expressed her hope that she wishes poor patients quickly recover health and return their families.To bring joy for the unlucky, Lien Tri Temple's nuns, monks and Buddhist believers and Dau Tieng district Red Cross society have over the past time mobilized organizations, individuals and donors to support expenses for the charity kitchen's operation. Therefore, operation of the charity kitchen has become familiar with many people, resulting in rising human resources and expenses for the kitchen. Many have granted money, rice and essential food as well as kitchen utensil for the kitchen.Nun Thich nu Nhu Thanh, head of Lien Tri Temple cum chef of the charity kitchen said that this charity kitchen's establishment is quite based on volunteer spirit, so the temple has received positive response from people, Buddhist believers and donors. All of foods have been checked quality and safety by doctors of the hospital's food safety and hygiene ward. Most of beneficiaries said that portions are very delicious.We feel joy and happiness of poor patients and their relatives when receiving free portions from the charity kitchen. Le Huy Than in Tan Dinh hamlet, Minh Hoa commune, Dau Tieng district said "I have suffered pneumonia for over one week. Owing to difficult circumstance, I need free portions from charity kitchen. If buying portions, I have to spend nearly VND100,000 per day for 3 meals, excluding my relatives' portions. The free portions from kitchen help poor patients like us overcome difficulties in life".Nguyen Thi Sau, chairwoman of Dau Tieng district Red Cross society said that this charity kitchen is a very significant model, contributing to help district medical sector take care of poor patients. Reported by T.Binh - Translated by A.C