'Suspended meal' program begins across Turkey: Özgür Özel announces

A 'suspended meal' program is being launched at the city restaurants initiated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, which have now spread across almost all of Turkey. 

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended the opening of the Bandırma Municipality Public Restaurant in Balıkesir.

 Özel stated, "Those who have money in their pockets can eat here, and when paying their bill, or someone passing by who enters without even eating, can say 'I am giving 200 liras, I want to provide meals for 4 people in need, hang it on the hook,' and a receipt will be issued, and 4 meals will be hung there."

Speaking at the event, Özel made the following remarks:

'A PLACE WHERE SOMEONE WITH 50 LIRAS CAN EAT'

I asked about today's menu here. The menu includes lentil soup, tas kebab, rice, and ayran. While this would cost 250 liras anywhere else, it is being offered to our citizens here for 50 liras. This is very valuable. I congratulate our mayor for this. We had expressed this as a wish before. But our colleagues worked on it and prepared it. From now on, we will implement it here as well. This is the 49th city restaurant opened across Turkey so far, and we will implement it in the other 48 as well. The point is this: 50 liras is truly very cheap compared to 250 liras. But it is still a place where someone with 50 liras in their pocket can eat. 

I am announcing this to all of Turkey here. From now on, in the very near future, the suspended meal program will begin at city restaurants. Those who have money in their pockets can eat here, and when paying their bill, or someone passing by who enters without even eating, at any time of the day, can say 'I am giving 200 liras, I want to provide meals for 4 people in need, hang it on the hook,' and a receipt will be issued, and 4 meals will be hung there. When citizens come, they are already provided with cards that show their income status. Citizens in difficult situations who see they have the right to eat a meal from the 'hook' will receive their free meal here without anyone noticing, as if they were paying with a credit card.

'SUSPENDED MEALS READY STARTING TOMORROW'

In the coming days, it will be possible to hang a meal at any City Restaurant in Turkey without even coming here, or even from anywhere in Turkey. For example, let's say the number for the Bandırma Municipality City Restaurant is 1010. You send a message to 1010 from your mobile phone. One message means one meal on the hook; you type 5 to 1010. 250 liras will be added to your phone bill. You will have treated 5 people in need to a meal. All of these will be organized, but Mr. Mayor, starting tomorrow, suspended meals are ready here; they will sell the tokens to you for 50 liras, they will be hung up, and when a needy citizen comes, they will take it from the hook and eat their meal. We are starting like this for now. Please do not withdraw your support from here.

News Source: 12punto