TAGUM CITY FOOD BANK
FEEDING THE MALNOURISHED CHILDREN OF MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
David Wasson, an award winning Seattle chef and cooking instructor, left his successful career in 2008 to retire in the Philippines, where he expected to lead a peaceful and quiet existence.
After moving to Mindanao (which is considered dangerous even by Filipino standards), He was invited to a “Thanksgiving” celebration at Purok Garciaville. He was struck by the weight of the children, and in speaking with the Barangay Health Worker, He began to see some serious problems that are not always so obvious. Yes, the children are happy, clean, mostly well dressed and not usually “looking” distressed – but looks, in Mindinao, are quite deceiving.
He saw a society that was struggling. Schools here, including the public schools, cost the parents money. It is not uncommon for a family to have as many as 9 children, so school, any medical care, and food are often “divided” among the children. The main deficiency is their weight, because these children don’t get to eat every day. I use the BMI index to classify the children as officially malnourished, which just means they are so skinny and underweight that their brains and bodies won’t develop normally. It’s really very dangerous for their (our) future. He found that life didn’t oblige his expectations. Food — something most of us easily find steps away, in our kitchens or in favorite restaurants, is a scarce commodity in Mindanao, where he decided to make his home. Wasson observed families living in poverty, who had no access to nutritious food, and in many cases, could not afford to feed their children even a meager meal, each day.
In some cases you would see children wearing really old or torn and dirty clothes — but only when the family is living in extreme poverty or when there is no mother around. They get some clothes donated by the church, and there are secondhand shops (called “okay-okay” and mostly from Japan or Korea) where you can buy used clothes really cheap, for less than a dollar. As a professional chef and educator, and especially, as a Dad, he couldn’t bear to see hungry and sometimes, starving, children.
Wasson, who now is the Chef and Child Foundation Ambassador to the Philippines, did what he knew he had to do. Where he feeds children who are often profoundly malnourished, and teaches the mothers, at weekly classes, about breast feeding, nutrition, healthy eating habits, and how to take charge of their own lives. His compelling story, is a true-life tale of compassion, love, and commitment to life.
Sara Blakey says
December 14, 2014 at 12:05 amI would like to mail a non-cash gift to David Wasson.
Please send me a secure mailing address to use.
BFiskilis says
January 3, 2015 at 8:33 pmHi there Sara you can actually Follow the Link through to Facebook and Send a private Message to David, Let me know how you go thanks.
david wasson says
January 28, 2015 at 11:23 pmsarah
TCCRI
4208 venus street, purok catlaya
mel village, Tagum City
Davao del norte, Mindanao
the Philippines 8100
Michael Blackwell says
January 17, 2017 at 4:08 amChef David
Thank you for your Wishes for my 66th Birthday
Michael Blackwell, old guy
david wasson says
June 23, 2017 at 3:21 amour mailing address has changed to:
Purok cugon, visayan village
tagum city, davao del norte
mindanao, the philippines 8100
Jenny garcia says
February 19, 2015 at 11:51 pmGood day, I would like to start a feeding program like this in Samal Island,Davao del Norte. If I can observe or know more of the whole program , this would be such a big help. Thank you very much.
david wasson says
November 11, 2016 at 12:21 amhello mam. you are more than welcome to visit our feeding 09202368890
david wasson says
March 10, 2015 at 11:30 pmHello Jenny. I will be happy to help you in any way I can. If you can visit us here in Tagum to witness a feeding it will be helpful to you, and we can talk at length about starting a program there.
Alexis Abejo says
August 1, 2016 at 8:50 amHi! My name is Alexis and am working as a staff of a Congresswoman from Laguna. We are interested in introducing a bill that would create community food banks throughout the country. We’ve read some articles about food banks in South Korea but we’re happy to read about your program and the progress you’re making with the children in Tagum. We hope we can visit and observe your work so it can be replicated in other provinces. God bless!
david wasson says
November 11, 2016 at 12:17 am09202368890
084 6559320
you are very welcome to visit here. I believe we have the experience and some information and technique that will help you. please call me.
Kalayaan Sta Barbara says
August 25, 2016 at 12:00 amHi David, do you have a contact number or email address where I can reach you? I am from Manila ang interested in your program. Thanks!
david wasson says
November 11, 2016 at 12:18 amchef.wasson@gmail.com
09202368890
Natalia G. Manuel says
September 2, 2016 at 8:23 amWonderful act of compassion, Congratulations
david wasson says
November 10, 2016 at 11:56 pmthank you so very much
Val says
April 14, 2017 at 5:20 amIf only there’s more of Chef Wesson and less of the corrupt politicians. Phillippines can eliminate hunger and poverty.
david wasson says
June 23, 2017 at 3:19 amthank you so much Val
William Javier says
May 25, 2017 at 2:20 amMay you be blessed by Allah s.w.t. for your unconditonal advocacy.
david wasson says
June 23, 2017 at 3:18 amthank you William
chef.wasson@gmail.com says
June 30, 2017 at 4:34 amthank you so much