[Soup Kitchen for the Disaster-Stricken Hikawa Town] The thoughts packed into 250 meals and the circle of support that spread in Minamioguni Town.
It was a little while ago, but on July 31st.
We held our first soup kitchen in Hikawa Town, which suffered significant damage from the Kumamoto earthquake.
A colleague (though I should say a great senior) who has been on the ground since immediately after the disaster received a request for food they wanted to eat while talking to the disaster victims, and so we decided to hold a soup kitchen, which led to its implementation.
I myself was not involved in the operation on the day,
but I helped with the ingredient preparation, chopping, and cooking the day before, and since there was an event that warmed my heart through this activity, I wanted to write it down.
250 meals finished in just one hour
The menu served at the soup kitchen was,
⭐︎ Freshly cooked rice (with handmade pickled plums & cucumber mustard pickles)
⭐︎ Somen noodles with plenty of vegetables
⭐︎ Zenzai (sweet red bean soup)
We had prepared 250 servings of each, but they were all finished in just about an hour after starting!
I heard that people were happy with smiles on their faces, saying "It's delicious!" and "It's been a while since I've had a proper meal!", and there were even some who shed tears.
I would be truly happy if it became a time to warm their hearts and bodies, even just a little, in the midst of such a difficult situation.
The warmth of the people of Minamioguni Town
Actually, the rice and fresh vegetables used in the soup kitchen were all donated by the people of Minamioguni.
When I consulted with the farmers, asking, "We are going to hold a soup kitchen in the disaster area, could you please share some vegetables with us?"
"I want people who are having a hard time to eat something delicious!"
said the farmers, who shared their magnificent vegetables that were just about to be shipped, by the container load.
"It's delicious, so please eat it!"
said the local people, who donated a large amount of ingredients without hesitation.
I feel that it was precisely because each dish was packed with the warm cheers of the people of Minamioguni that it reached the hearts of the people of Hikawa Town so deeply.
They were already bagged, put in containers, and ready to be shipped.
Everything packed in the containers was donated just like that.
Among shiitake mushrooms, log-grown ones are very rare, fragrant, and delicious.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but we were donated an incredibly large amount.
They are harvested after ripening, so they are sweet and delicious.
We were donated three whole boxes of these precious tomatoes.
The schedule from deciding the date of the soup kitchen to holding it was tight. I even consulted with the farmers about providing ingredients the day before, but the people of the town readily agreed without hesitation.
I am truly full of gratitude to those who donated.
Thoughts connected, leading to the second soup kitchen
When I posted about this first soup kitchen on Facebook, a wonderful change occurred.
Local farmers and inn owners who saw the post reached out with warm words, saying,
“Please let us know when you do the next soup kitchen!”
That is what they said.
Thanks to them, we were able to hold a second soup kitchen and once again deliver the kindness of the people of Minamioguni to the disaster-stricken area.
Thinking the children might like it, we made a one-plate lunch featuring Salisbury steak, minced meat rice bowls, and vegetables.
In closing
Minamioguni Town is truly full of warm-hearted people.
I only helped with the preparations a little, but I was overwhelmed by everyone's warmth and initiative. I am truly filled with gratitude.
It was a day that made me realize once again the importance and wonder of supporting each other across regions and connecting our thoughts.
I will continue to think about what I can do and remain by the side of those affected by the disaster, hoping they can regain their peaceful daily lives as soon as possible.
