The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the livelihoods of people at all levels, whether they are facing economic hardship, high living costs, unemployment, or concerns about daily life. All of these issues ultimately revolve around the problem of food security.

 <\/em><\/strong>We must remember that the COVID-19 pandemic has led everyone to minimize the risk of meeting or coming into contact with others, following the concept of social distancing. The act of almsgiving, which is a routine for Buddhists, may need to be 'reduced' or 'suspended.' Similarly, monks may also 'suspend' or 'reduce' their alms collection to lower the risk of infection.

The resulting problem is no different from that faced by the general public; monks are another group experiencing food shortages.<\/strong><\/span>

In such difficult circumstances, AP (AP Thailand), a real estate company committed to empowering and inspiring Thai society to overcome COVID together, has come up with an idea for a campaign called “Fill the Alms Bowl: Save Lives Protect People”<\/span>. This initiative involves a caravan of vehicles aimed at saving lives and supporting communities in 10 high-risk areas of Bangkok and its outskirts, delivering dry food and COVID-19 protective equipment.

By collaborating with Thai SMEs and small-scale farmers like Happy Grocers, a social enterprise e-commerce platform for organic agricultural products that connects with small farmers, and Boon Nampa, which provides various merit-making services and purchases fresh food, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and meat in a take-out format, we are delivering to the kitchens of temples in one monk hospital and nine temples located in high-risk areas (including Wat Prayurawongsawas, Wat Sutthasathit, Wat Moli Lokayarama, Wat Rajapradit Sathit Maha Simaram, Wat Thevasunthorn Suntharikan, Wat Sutthiwararama, Wat Laksi, Wat Chalerm Phrakiat Worawihan, and Wat Khlong Toei) to support around 1,000 monks.

.           The campaign “Save Lives Protect People”<\/strong> is part of Empower Living, the core philosophy of the AP brand, which aims not only to create 'homes' for living but also to be spaces that empower and bring happiness to surrounding communities.

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            AP has initiated this campaign to stand firm in its identity, ready to fight alongside all Thai people and encourage everyone to extend help as much as they can to those who may be overlooked, ensuring that those living in high-risk areas can have a better quality of life and safely overcome the COVID-19 crisis together. The general public can also contribute help through the channel www.apthai.com<\/a>.