What the community pantry movement means for Filipinos
Written by Juli Suazo
enablePagination: false Ana Patricia Non, the woman behind the Maginhawa Community Pantry. Photo courtesy of ANJO LAPRESCA
On a hot and scorching Wednesday afternoon, Ana Patricia Non walked along the streets of Maginhawa to find a spot that is both accessible and able to withhold sizable foot traffic. Somewhere in front of a Romantic Baboy and Ministop, she approached the owners of the place where she used to buy vegetables and requested permission to use the space for a community pantry. When it was granted, she rushed home to collect her already-packed goods, called for a tricycle, and quickly made her way back. She set up a bamboo cart along Maginhawa Street and stocked it with rice, vegetables, milk, vitamins, face masks, canned goods, soap and other essentials.
Published April 19, 2021, 2:47 PM
By Jonathan Hicap, Allysa Nievera, Jaleen Ramos, Carla Bauto Deña, Andrea Kate Aro, Minka Klaudia Tiangco, and Joseph Pedrajas
Inspired by the Maginhawa Street, Quezon City community food drive, community pantries have sprouted in Metro Manila and in the provinces with the aim of giving food and supplies to everyone in need.
Community pantries in (clockwise from top left) in Putatan, Muntinupa; Intramuros, Manila; San Pablo City, Laguna; Sampaloc, Manila; and P. Noval St., Manila (Photos: Muntinlupa Food Drive, Toots Vergara, Intramuros Administration, MHTP Food Bank, Charlon Kim/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan (Give what you can, take what you need)” is the main mission of the community pantry.
(Toots Vergara / MANILA BULLETIN)
The table, dubbed as the “P. Noval Community Pantry,” is packed with vegetables, rice, canned goods, and packs of instant noodles.
“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” a sign displayed on the table read.
Toots Vergara, one of the managers of Mang Tootz Food House, said he was inspired by the community pantry set up along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City.
“Huwag mahiyang kumuha, nandoon lang po iyon (Do not be shy to get some items, they’ll just be there),” he said in his Facebook post.
Vergara encouraged those living nearby to drop off their spare grocery items so they can help others. The table will be open to receive donations everyday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.