MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES—Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman & CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon announced that the PRC just purchased a new food truck which is more advanced, an addition to its existing 37 food trucks used to provide immediate food supply for vulnerable people in evacuation centers during disasters and emergencies. 

According to the PRC, the newly procured food truck (Hyundai HD78 GT 14ft Food Truck with 1 Ton Tailgate Lifter) has an air conditioning system and a refrigerator that helps in maintaining the freshness and quality of food especially if it needs to be brought to far-flung areas; it also has three solar panels. It is expected to come in February and will be positioned at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong. 

PRC Chairman and the author of Food Donation Law (RA 9803), Dick Gordon stated that “The PRC is expanding and innovating. We are not only addressing hunger, but we’re giving people dignity by serving them decent and healthy meals. And we’re planning to add more food trucks in the future.” 

“In times of catastrophes, food is highly essential. When you’re in an evacuation center, you cannot cook because you don’t have what you need. By serving them ready-to-eat meals, we’re alleviating the suffering of our kababayans because they don’t have to worry about it anymore. Maliit na bagay pero makabuluhan,” Chairman Gordon added. 

The first four PRC food trucks were donated by Gordon in 2005 to combat malnutrition in various schools in Metro Manila. These were positioned in the PRC chapters in Pasay, NHQ-Mandaluyong, Quezon City, and Manila. 

Currently, the PRC owns 37 donated food trucks prepositioned across its 102 chapters nationwide, ready to be deployed as needed. The PRC food trucks can feed a hundred individuals per hour and are equipped with industrial-size burners, steamers, and other cooking equipment. Additionally, the PRC mentioned that all ingredients for its Hot Meals on Wheels program are locally sourced to support local farmers and fisherfolk. 

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang mentioned “The PRC is also mobilizing professionally trained volunteer chefs and nutritionists to ensure safety and dignified hot meal preparations to vulnerable communities.” 

From 2005 to January 2025, the PRC’s Hot Meals on Wheels program served 1.7 million hot meals from its numerous operations.