Community Pantry: How It Started And How It’s Going

Community Pantry: How it started and how it’s going

COMMUNITY PANTRY — As the Philippines reeled from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Filipinos had extended a helping hand by making food donations to community pantries.

This was aimed to help those in need amidst challenging times.

Ana Patricia Non — the proponent of the Maginhawa community pantry — started the community pantry initiative without the need for “points”.

The signage (see photo below) stated: “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan. Kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.” (Give what you can. Take what you need).

READ ALSO: Kaalaman “PROJECT ANUKALA” Explained

The said initiative had since snowballed to other communities as well. According to Non, the said initiative was aimed to help those in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that had since put many parts of the Philippines under strict lockdowns, forcing people out of livelihoods.

With this, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said that the emergence of community pantries was laudable as it exemplified the Filipino Bayanihan spirit during the challenging time of COVID-19.

“We, therefore, ask our people to continue observing the minimum public health standards, so together, we can heal and recover soon,” Roque said.

Prior to this, the Member Church of God International (MCGI) launched the “MCGI Free Store” wherein beneficiaries can get what they need and not what they want.

As stated in the website, the MCGI Free Store was an online shop wherein donors enlisted common needs or items for beneficiaries in need. The said store also distributed “points” to deserving beneficiaries in order for them to purchase donated items on the online platform.

For more news and updates, you may feel free to visit this site more often. You may also visit Newspapers.ph via our official Facebook page and YouTube channel.