LIVES Food Truck "OOPEN"

Thank you for supporting the LIVES Food truck "OOPEN"!  Without your help, we could not come this far!!

As many other people, companies and organisations in the world, we have been having a difficult time trying to survive through this COVID-19 situation. After the Japanese government declared the State of Emergency in mid April, and with the Universities not conducting their classes on campus, our Food Truck "OOPEN" has been in halt for a month and a half.  However, the OOPEN team did not give up and has been working hard to find ways for the project to be successful and moving once the state of emergency be raised.  

During this time, we made a banner to put on the food truck and a pamphlet to make our missions clear.  Hands On Tokyo signed a contract between Ancienne AI and Kakewa K.K., so that we can involve the wider community in Tokyo.  Ancienne AI  is a social welfare organization and a French restaurant that hires people who have mental and intellectual disabilities.(http://www.aikobo.or.jp/ancienne.html)   They are trained at this restaurant so that they can work full time if they desire to.  The Ancienne AI works with Setagaya ward office (a  local government office) and this will enable us to reach out to a greater community and involve more people.  Kakewa K.K. is a student led company that focuses on helping small farmers in the Chiba prefecture.  They provide the vegetables, clean, maintain and drive the food truck. Hands On Tokyo will continue to provide volunteers, bring in companies that can support the project and raise funds to help sustain the project and to help expand more.  This collaboration will enhance this project to include more people which will help change the mindset of people in our society.

From June 1st,  after the state of emergency was lifted, the food truck "OOPEN" started to move again!!  The people with disabilities and volunteers cook together on Mondays.

With the generous offer from Kawada Constructions Co., Ltd., sell lunch boxes in their vicinity on Tuesdays. And with the cooperation of the Setagaya ward office, we are now selling lunch boxes at the ward office on Wednesdays.

Once the universities open and start their on campus classes, we will be in full operation through Monday to Friday!!  We are all looking forward to the day when we can "work, eat and laugh" together, without worrying about the virus!!

Thank you again for your generous donation.  Your support keeps this project alive and going strong!!  It will help change our society.

Thank you so much and stay safe!!

Here are the voices from Haruka and Riho:

Haruka:  From the first time I started working for OOPEN, I became good friends with other staff and volunteers,.  I also got to know many foreign friends, which was a great experience for me.  I am having fun working for the food truck!!

Riho:  As a starting member of the food truck, I have been working for OOPEN from 2018; first as a volunteer and now as a part timer.

It is fun to get to know people, and to work with many different people. It is also fun to try cooking various recipes.  I want to work for a food related company in the future!!