AOMORI -- Towada Kodomo Shokudo Jikko Iinkai (Towada children's diner organization committee), a citizen's group serving free meals to children and their families in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, has launched a crowd-funding project to purchase a bus that will bring their meal services all around the area.
"I hope many people will hear about what we're doing," said Kazuyuki Minashiri, 42, a nursing home manager who serves as the head of the free-meal activity's organizing committee.
The group began operation in January this year, inviting local children and their parents and serving them free meals. About 25 people from all walks of life who agreed with the organization's cause are participating as volunteers.
The group's activities include not only dining table service, but also holding various events, such as barbecues, udon noodle making, storytelling with both children's books and kamishibai -- illustrated story cards. The activities have already brought smiles to the faces of more than 300 participants.
During the various events, Minashiri realized that there are children who cannot come to the events or enjoy the group's meals because they have no way to get to the venue. He then hit on the idea of starting a mobile diner that can travel to any desired place.
He devised a plan to convert a large bus into a diner fitted with a kitchen, seats and a space for carrying about 100 books, so that the vehicle can be used for collaborations with other groups that offer free meals and work for other causes.
After researching the cost of buying a secondhand bus and converting it, he set the initial crowd-funding goal amount to 2 million yen. As of Dec. 26, the project had hit 2.02 million yen, already achieving its goal.
Donations can still be made until the end of January 2020. Donors can make donations ranging from 3,000 yen to 500,000 yen and receive a special gift depending on the amount. The gifts range from a T-shirt to advertisement space on the bus.
If everything goes well, they are planning to begin operations on May 5, Children's Day.
"I'd love it if we could make all the children happy. I want many people to get to know what we're doing," Minashiri said.
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