When disaster strikes, there’s always someone who steps up, and for Precious Laaño-Baluyut, it’s all about providing hot, comforting meals to those in need.
This cultural worker and founder of ArtRelief, along with her husband Alex, has been on the frontlines of countless disaster areas with their mobile kitchen, making sure no one goes hungry.
Recently in Basco, the ArtRelief team has been cooking for three days straight, but their total time on the ground extends beyond that. “We’ve been here since the day before the operation and will stay until the day after,” Precious shared. “So, five days of operations, at the very least—though we haven’t even talked about an extension yet.” Whether it’s a typhoon, earthquake, or conflict like the siege of Marawi, Precious and her team adjust based on the scale of the disaster. “In Marawi, we were there for one and a half months. During the pandemic, we were cooking for six months straight,” she recalls.
For Precious, it’s not just about feeding the victims; it’s about community. “We’re serving the entire community, of course, but our top priority is always the first responders. Volunteers on the ground also need food, especially since they often don’t have reliable sources themselves.”
ArtRelief doesn’t just serve meals—they deliver quality comfort food, simple but heartfelt. Depending on the situation, they can cook up to 1,000 to 3,000 meals a day. “The first thingto get affected during a disaster is power and water,” Precious explained. “So, the first question we ask is always: Is there potable water?”
Thanks to your support, our Disaster Response Team was able to give them six jerry cans. This allows ArtRelief to cook for more people, with potable water coming from various sources, including local fire stations and the community.
“The community gives back,” Precious said. “We use the values we have as a community to work together—to bring food to those who need it most, when they need it most.”
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When disaster strikes, heroes like Precious and Alex are always ready to serve. You can be that hero too, by supporting the work of Operation Blessing. Visit www.operationblessing.ph today!
DSWD-SB-SP-00029-2024. Valid until December 14, 2024.