Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers brought a “Hot Meals on Wheels” truck to Malabon City and provided some 150 children and senior citizens with free meals on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The “Hot Meals on Wheels” food truck program, established in 2005, aims to provide food to vulnerable sectors in the community as well as the victims of natural calamities.
The humanitarian organization's feeding program currently caters to individuals who have been gravely affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The PRC Malabon Chapter team drove the food truck to N. Vicencio St. in Barangay Niugan in Malabon City, where they served the residents hot, nutritious meals that contained chicken, eggs, and rice.
The PRC has 23 food trucks equipped with fully functioning kitchens and complete cooking sets including rice cookers, warmers, ovens, and burners.
The food trucks prepare and serve around 100 meals per hour or 800 meals for eight hours in their designated distribution areas.
Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the PRC, noted that malnutrition, hunger, and food insecurity were experienced by children and the elderly, especially during the pandemic.
"It is important that we continue to boost our efforts to address all the health and nutrition needs of the people," Gordon added.
As of Feb. 3, 114, 463 individuals have benefited from the PRC’s hot meals program since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Khriscielle Yalao)