Here's where to find DSWD's newly launched food bank, the 'Walang Gutom Kitchen'
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched its "Walang Gutom Kitchen," a food bank that will source donations from food establishments.
A food bank helps combat hunger by providing those in need with free food. In addition to feeding the hungry, it also aims to reduce food wastage.
For the Walang Gutom Kitchen, food establishments such as restaurants, hotels, and fast food chains and private citizens may donate their surplus food to the hub.
The food bank is located at the Nasdake Building, a former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub, in FB Harrison in Pasay City.
All people experiencing hunger are welcome in the kitchen, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said. The kitchen opens at 6 a.m. and will cater to people until supplies last.
Talking to reporters, Gatchalian said the agency aims to bring the food bank nationwide and open more hubs.
“Ang plano natin is to expand it later on and open more of its branches so that yung mga kababayan natin na nasa pribadong sektor na may excess na pagkain, pwede nilang maibaba rito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen para yung mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan, pwedeng-pwedeng pumunta rito anytime para makakuha ng libreng pagkain,” he said.
The DSWD also assured the public that the food being donated to the program is still good for consumption.
In October, a Social Weather Stations found that the rate of involuntary hunger, which it defined as "being hungry and not having anything to eat," was at 22.9%—or two in every 10 Filipinos—in the third quarter (July to September) of 2024.
It was higher than the reported 17.6% involuntary hunger rate in the second quarter (April to June).
Meanwhile, to curb food wastage in the country, particularly of rice, the Department of Agriculture is seeking to revive a bill proposing to serve half a cup of rice in establishments.
