Expanding the Circle of Empathy By Providing Free Lunch Boxes

Expanding the Circle of Empathy By Providing Free Lunch Boxes

Bento support started by a man raised in a mother and child family. Sasa himself grew up in a family with mothers and children, and when he realized how difficult it was to live a single-parent family, he started this initiative. The circle of support is expanding to single-parent families who are economically affected by the new coronavirus.

Bento support that connects feelings

The woman has two part-time jobs at a restaurant, but due to the new coronavirus, both of the shops were closed and I lost my income. “These voices and Sasa's thoughts spread through SNS, and the number of support recipients has gradually increased”.

Empathy expands the circle of support one after another

If the number of bento boxes increased and the kitchen of Sasa-san's store was too small, a nearby restaurant rented the kitchen free of charge. When there weren't enough staff to deliver bento, people at a nearby restaurant started helping out with the delivery. Furthermore, in terms of operating funds, Sasa-san's Italian restaurant is still closed, and he said that he had a deficit of 3 million yen last month. Most of them are people who have sympathized with Sasa's thoughts.

“I was also a single-parent family”, that Japanese soccer player

Sasa's feelings reached even the unexpected. Yuki Kobayashi, who plays in soccer and Japan national team, learned about this initiative and offered to participate. When asked why, Kobayashi confessed that he grew up in a family with mothers and children and understands how hard life is. “I know that a single-parent family has a hard time in terms of rice and money”.

Spreading smiles, feelings reach

A 6th grade boy said, “I didn't think Kobayashi would come to my house. Kobayashi said, “I think I was happy because everyone was smiling. I think there are other families who need a lot of support, so I hope that the circle of support will expand further”.

“We have no choice but to do”  Even now, a pitiful voice calling for support

From a single mother in Kanagawa prefecture, who has children aged 5 and 0, “I can't afford to pay the rent and the refrigerator is empty. I'm really worried about eating meals for a child on the table or eating diapers”.
Sasa said, “I am really grateful that more people than I had imagined have cooperated”. However, there are many families who still support me, so I will continue to do my best. 

Source: http://shorturl.at/hou34