[bobibnoxx]

An exemplary abbot, indeed.

[Cuccuccaltefe]

There really is such a thing as a free lunch

SUNTHORN PONGPAO & SURACHAI PIRAGSA

A temple in Ayutthaya has opened a free noodle stall to help hungry residents cope with rising food prices. Phra Khru Pimolbunyakorn, abbot of Wat Bote in tambon Ban Paen in Sena district, said the handouts are aimed at easing economic hardship for poor people.

The temple teamed up with residents and private donors to set up a stall in its canteen to offer the free noodles.

The stall opens from 10am to 1pm daily and costs the temple about 1,500 to 2,000 baht a day to cook about 1,000 bowls of noodles, supplied mostly to low-income people.

The stall, which also provides free drinking water, runs on public donations and temple funds, said the abbot.

Samlae Sereewallop, 47, a cook, said three volunteers including herself work at the stall and serve about 300-500 people a day. The number of people receiving free food increases at weekends.

Those wanting to help can donate ingredients and condiments such as seasonings, sugar and fish sauce.

Ms Samlae goes to the market every day to buy pork and noodles. People can choose between tom yum or pork noodle soup, she added.

Renowned abbot Phra Payom Kalayano has mobilised residents and students living at Rom Phor Kaew centre, a branch of Wat Suan Kaew, in Buri Ram to grow rice and fruit on more than 300 rai of land in this northeastern province.

Agricultural produce from those plots, some of which were purchased by the temple and some donated, would feed the elderly, the disabled and needy children living at the centre, said Phra Payom, abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi.

The centre would sell the surplus farm produce and keep the money from the sale for other charity activities, he said.

The centre plans to increase its agricultural areas to 800 rai in the future.

Bangkok Post

[doolarsva]

hmmmm....