Bengs who care: Young hawkers serve up free meals for the hungry, turn down donations

It's a tough time all around for many but two hawkers are doing what they can to feed the needy.

Beng Who Cooks, a stall at Hong Lim Food Centre, will offer free meals to anyone in need for the entire circuit breaker period, it announced in an Instagram post on April 6.

Co-owned by Jason Chua and Hung Zhen Long, the two-year-old stall serves up protein bowls with healthy sides such as cherry tomatoes, broccoli and onsen eggs.

From April 7 to May 4, they are offering chicken, fish, soba and beef stew sets, which range from $6 to $7.

But anyone who is "hanging tough" and struggling to put food on the table can DM them on Instagram for a free meal that can be collected or delivered the next day, they said.

With non-essential businesses shuttered for the month, not to mention the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, many are feeling the pinch.

The initiative works on an honour system, or as Hung says: "Don't need any proof, very easy one. Just tell us."

The duo are doing this because they "just really want to help", they explained in another Instagram post where they also told their followers to "stop transferring money [to them]".

Some followers who had gotten Chua's mobile number had sent him money after hearing about the initiative, but the pair are not comfortable with accepting money "during this horrid time".

Those who want to help can spread awareness instead, he added.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/TheBengWhoCooks/posts/10158202626914099:0[/embed]

The money that has already been donated will go towards defraying the cost of delivering food to the needy, who can now get their meals delivered for free.

They have served a total of seven free meals so far, but there are a "crazy amount of enquiries" and more orders stacked up for next week, Chua told AsiaOne.

And they are hoping to continue their good work even after the circuit breaker period.

"If we can, we are doing this as long as we are able to. Even after this whole s*** stretch."

Address: #01-44 Hong Lim Complex Market & Food Centre

kimberlylim@asiaone.com