Akiko Sugaya puts on her straw hat. She wheels a cart through eastern Tokyo, Japan. She toots a little horn. 

The toot means, Tofu! Tofu for sale!

Have you ever tried tofu? Many folks in Asia consider this protein-dense soybean curd a staple food. But not everyone gets it delivered via pink cart. That’s unique to this neighborhood.

Ms. Sugaya offers tofu in various shapes and textures. But that’s just a small slice of her mission. She’s not only delivering food. She’s also staying in touch with elderly customers.

Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world. The country’s many elderly people need love and care. Ms. Sugaya treats many of her customers like family. She knows their habits, and they know hers. Sometimes on her deliveries, she can tell people need help. Newspapers lie uncollected. Laundry sits around with no one near. Those are signs for her to check on people inside. 

She has done the job faithfully for 23 years. It’s good for her customers. But she says it benefits her too. She was bullied in school. She got fired from jobs. Finally, she discovered that delivering good, healthy food made her mind healthier. Plus, it offered value to others.

“I felt safe when surrounded by the elderly whose smiles are warm and kind,” she adds.

A quick sampling of staple foods:

Japan: tofu

United States: corn

Brazil: cassava

Pakistan: basmati rice

Ethiopia: injera

These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. — Psalm 104:27

Why? God says it’s not good for man to be alone. He made you to be with your family, your neighbors, and with Him.