March 19, 2026
Tzu Chi donates fresh vegetables to 11 partner institutions
By Harold Llorca
“A person with a generous heart and compassion for all beings leads the most blessed life.” —Dharma Master Cheng Yen
On March 11, the Tzu Chi Foundation received a generous donation of fresh vegetables at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Guided by the spirit of compassion and mindful use of resources, Tzu Chi volunteers distributed the vegetables to 11 partner institutions across Metro Manila: La Verna, Camillus Medhaven, Blessed Family Home Care, Hospicio de San Jose, Missionaries of Charity Brothers in Novaliches, Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lubiran Missionaries, the Tzu Chi Eye Center, Missionaries of Charity in Tayuman, Philippine Normal University, and local temples around Metro Manila.
For many organizations, the donation arrived at a time of rising fuel and food prices. For many households and charitable institutions, access to fresh and nutritious food remains a challenge. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, many Filipinos experience moderate to severe food insecurity,
“This is very important, especially now that life has become difficult and many people are worried because of rising prices,” said Alexander M. Yumul, administrative staff at the Philippine Normal University. “We are grateful for the generosity of the Tzu Chi Foundation.”
Rosalyn Endriga, a social worker from the Missionaries of Charity Brothers, expressed heartfelt gratitude as well for the support. Their shelter provides care for abandoned, sick, homeless, and marginalized individuals.
“We are very happy because our shelter truly needs vegetables. Instead of buying them from outside, this donation is a great help for us,” she said.
Through the simple yet sincere act of sharing, Tzu Chi volunteers nourish the bodies and spirits of society’s underserved sectors.
Tzu Chi volunteer James Cheng (left) and a Tzu Chi staff member prepare the vegetables for distribution.
The Missionaries of Charity Brothers in Novaliches received six boxes of cauliflower totaling 72 kilos, and four bundles of choy sum weighing 20 kilos.
Social worker Rosalyn Endriga and Tzu Chi volunteer James Cheng pose for a photo with the donated vegetables received for their charity.
Tzu Chi staff helped Philippine Normal University personnel load six boxes of cauliflower weighing 60 kilos and four boxes of choy sum totaling 22 kilos into their university’s service vehicle.
The staff of Hospicio de San Jose is grateful to receive fresh vegetables for their institution.
Rosalyn Endriga of the Missionaries of Charity Brothers in Novaliches said the donated vegetables will provide nutritious meals for their clients.
Alexander M. Yumul, administrative staff at the Philippine Normal University, said that the donation will benefit not just the university. It will also be shared with the wider PNU community.
Tzu Chi Foundation volunteer James Cheng expressed joy in supporting the vegetable donation initiative with partner institutions.