BEC & Geri's is a plant-based restaurant offering a wide variety of food alternatives to modern Filipino dishes. Now it is launching the first 100 percent plant-based community kitchen in Mindanao (and soon in Manila), offering free food for the hungry.

"When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer year 2014, during my treatments I was advised by my physicians to limit my diet to sugar-free, dairy-free, and meat free food because eliminating these foods from my diet will help starve off cancer cells. A few months of tasteless, soups and steamed vegetables later I started looking for protein rich vegan food elsewhere. Unfortunately only a few options were available in Davao at the time," relates Maria Victoria Evangelista, the other half of Bec & Geri's.

Frustrated with the lack of locally accessible and nutritional food, she soon pursued an advocacy to protect animals and a commitment to feed the hungry.

Bec & Geri’s has crafted more than 50+ plant-based dishes that are typical Filipino comfort food - nutritious, tasty, affordable, and easy to prepare.

"As a practicing sustainable business, we are initiating a feeding program to address ‘zero hunger’ as one of the 17 sustainable development goals we wish to fulfill, and open to everyone who can lend a helping hand. Together we can do more! Together we can feed the hungry!" she exclaims, fully supported by husband Geri.

She continues, "Calling all farmers and vegetable vendors, bago pa masira at itapon ang gulay nyo kaya namin gawan ng paraan at mapakinabangan lahat ng malapit ng masira. Walang magugutom, walang matatapon."

The first community kitchen in Mindanao was launched on April 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. in Bioskin Building, back of Ecoland terminal and will be a daily routine five days a week. Volunteers and donors are welcome to join.

Meal stubs are to be given away on a limited allotment per day.