Free Meals
(Photo : Reuters)

A Colombian restaurant owner along with his differently-abled employees offers free meals in the tough neighborhoods of Bogota where families do not eat for days according to a recently published article.

Amid the global health and economic crisis, the poor and those who are on the poverty line are the most economically affected. Families of those who depend on their daily needs from the daily income of their breadwinner are now starting to go hungry due to the closure of the establishments where they are working. 

NATIONAL LOCKDOWN IN COLOMBIA AMID COVID-19

President Ivan Duque of Colombia announced through a national television a nationwide lockdown amid the surging cases on COVID-19 in the country. He said: "We are a few hours away from starting the national quarantine, a very important moment for our country, where our behavior, our attitude, our discipline, our solidarity, our commitment can save lives."

The national lockdown declared in Colombia left thousands of individuals to become jobless and led many families to hunger and tears. It was also found out that half of the country's wage earners have no savings according to the authorities.

However, the government will spend more than $120 million to help the informal economy workers in the country like cleaners, maids, street vendors and construction workers who are now in need of financial support according to a recently published article.

This support will help them to suffice their basic needs until the lockdown is lifted on April 13. Moreover, the elderly are required to stay at home until the end week of May.

COLOMBIAN RESTAURANT GIVING AWAY FREE MEALS

For Emiliano Moscoso, it's high time to give back to the poor. It is not the right time for him to do business but to do charitable acts by giving free meals to the two tough neighborhoods in Bogota where many families have not eaten in days.

The brightly colored restaurant of Moscoso typically served burgers and milkshakes in Bogota, Colombia. There are districts in the city where many families are now becoming hungry and have nothing to eat because they have lost their jobs due to the effect of COVID-19. 

Moscoso cried for the need of people around him and felt that something must be done to help these people. He now turned his tears into action by giving free meals to these people. 

SOLIDARITY MENU 

The "Solidarity Menu" of Emiliano Moscoso works with Rappi, a delivery startup. People can help feed the poor districts in the city by ordering food and it will be prepared by his employees that will be delivered to the poor individuals.

Moscoso said: "The other day I delivered 600 burgers to two tough neighborhoods of Bogota and there were families who had not eaten for days. It's very moving what's happening with just nine days of a lockdown. I can't imagine what will happen with 20, 30 or 40 days, and people not being able to go out and make a living." 

Meanwhile, Moscoso clarified that he is not making profits for the Solidarity Menu but the project is making his staff active. In fact, among his employees are deaf and those with Down Syndrome. He also vowed not to lay off any one of them. 

At present, there now many restaurant owners and some strangers who have been calling his restaurant to join the project. This is a great way of helping those who are in need and feed those who are hungry amid COVID-19.

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