BANGKOK, Thailand – On September 3, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt presided over the opening ceremony of the BKK Food Bank in Phra Nakhon District, marking the 42nd such center in the city. The initiative aims to collect donations from the public and distribute them to vulnerable individuals. Each recipient is given 300 points, which can be used to exchange for goods. Additional points can be earned through volunteer activities, with 50 points awarded per activity. There are plans to transition the point system to a digital format in the future for greater convenience.
Governor Chadchart emphasized the importance of sharing in building a better society. “The opening of BKK Food Bank is a positive development because a good society is one that shares,” he stated during the ceremony.
From October 1, 2023, to September 3, 2024, the BKK Food Bank project has distributed a total of 1,900,000 meals. The beneficiaries include 2,734 people with disabilities, 342 homeless individuals, 21,374 elderly, 3,810 disadvantaged persons, 7,467 children, 19,422 general citizens, 1,650 bedridden patients, 2,289 children in daycare centers, and 1,120 others.
The Phra Nakhon BKK Food Bank operates under the BKK Food Bank Prototype Development Project. It aims to make district offices the central hubs for connecting donors with those in need, promoting a culture of sharing and alleviating economic hardship among vulnerable groups. The food bank is set up like a supermarket, where those in need can choose items and accumulate points to exchange for necessary goods. The project is collaboration between the district office and related networks to collect and distribute food and essential items from donors to the elderly, bedridden patients, disabled persons, and other vulnerable groups.
The Phra Nakhon BKK Food Bank is open every Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Donations are welcomed from local temples, businesses, and other organizations, including:
- Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm)
- Wat Suthat Thepwararam
- Wat Ratchanaddaram
- Wat Intharawihan
- Wat Tri Thotsathep
- Wat Mai Amataros
- Watthana Panich Publishing House Co., Ltd.
- Siam Sindhorn Co., Ltd.
- Nanyao Majowkeng Foundation Thailand
Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon, Bangkok Governor’s Advisor Pornprom Vikitsreth, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of Bangkok, executives from the Department of Social Development, Phra Nakhon District Office, and other relevant officials attended the ceremony held at the BKK Food Bank Center, located on the first floor of Building 2, Phra Nakhon District Office.
