A charity map inspired by the “suspended meal” concept putting donors in touch with the needy and at the same time eliminating bureaucracy that hamstrings institutionalized giving was unveiled April 22 by a teacher from Zhonghua Junior High School in Yilan County, eastern Taiwan.
“Taiwan has many generous people, but they are not organized. If only they had a platform, their benevolence could be directed toward those in need, which is why I thought up the charity map,” said the teacher, Huang Neng-qian.
Huang’s map, which is scheduled to come online via Facebook in May, shows the locations of participating outlets and the free food they have on offer. He has already signed up seven bakeries, noodle, breakfast and other food shops in the Yilan area.
The suspended meal concept originated in Italy, where a suspended coffee is one paid for by a charitable individual at a cafe and then given to the first needy individual who comes along and asks for it. It is a form of direct charitable donation that has rapidly gained worldwide popularity and become well-supported throughout the island.
Huang suggests that each shop can provide 10 meals per day, each costing about NT$30 (US$1), to be distributed to the homeless, people living from recycling garbage and children from poor homes.
The teacher has been involved in charitable work for many years. This year he also encouraged his students to undertake voluntary rice planting work, and planned to buy 100 kilograms to give to elderly people living alone.
After learning of Huang’s plan, parents of the students quickly offered rice donations enabling him to amass 3,000 kilograms. Consequently, “suspended rice” has long been on the menu at Zhonghua. (SDH)