From Maginhawa To Laguna: Community Pantries Sprout Up As People Take Action To Help The Hungry

UPDATED: Nothing probably exemplifies community action more than the phrase “magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.”

It was a basic reminder that, after going viral online this week, inspired others to establish similar community pantries to enable more people to help those in need.

On Matiyaga Street in Quezon City, consultant Elijah San Fernando decided to set up a community pantry similar to the one established by furniture designer Ana Patricia Non on Maginhawa Street nearby.

“Pinilahan ng mga nanay, tricycle driver at mga manggagawa ang community pantry kaya ubos na po agad ang (first) batch ng mga gulay,” he said in an update hours after posting about the community pantry on Friday, April 16, which initially provided free kamote (sweet potatoes) and vegetables that were directly sourced from farmers.

The sweet potatoes came from the farmers in Paniqui, Tarlac and Magsasaka partylist.

As more donations pour in, San Fernando said they will release guidelines for those who want to volunteer or donate.

In Sampaloc, Manila, entrepreneur couple Toots and Anj Vergara said they were inspired by the Maginhawa community pantry initiative that they decided to put up a similar one in front of their home along P. Noval Street.

“Na-inspire din talaga kami dun sa initiative,” Toots said in an interview with The Philippine STAR on Friday. “Sabi namin, may sobra naman tayo, so bakit hindi na lang natin gamitin para tumulong?”

Allocating an initial P2,500, the couple said they bought canned goods, vegetables and rice and left them outside their house for anyone who needs it.

What happened after slightly surprised them. “Akala namin mauubos agad, pero nagulat kami mas dumami pa,” said Anj, narrating how other donations poured in after they posted about it online.

“May doubts kami na baka kuhanan lang ‘yan ng kuhanan, hindi ma-sustain at walang maglalagay. Pero apparently, since nag-viral ‘yung post, mas marami ‘yung gustong tumulong kaysa kumuha,” Toots added.

At LB Grove, Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna, a community pantry also opened to support the initiative of Non.

“We have community groceries available in front of our office. Para sa lahat po ito na nangangailangan at para sa mga kaibigan natin na may sobra ay maaari din i-drop off ang kanilang tulong,” Ja Abdel said on Friday.

“This is an initiative by me and my husband to give back to our community,” Abdel told The STAR.

According to Abdel, they have received around P30,000 worth of donations so far.

“We receive a lot of donations from friends and strangers. We saw the initiative and want to help din,” she added.

An opportunity to help

In addition to helping those who are in need, the Vergara couple said there is also a lesson to learn from the experience of the community pantries: “At a time when it seems that it’s every man for himself, the reality is that people are willing to help if an opportunity is given to them.”

Non, who put up the first community pantry on Maginhawa Street on Wednesday, April 14, earlier addressed concerns on dishonesty, urging doubters to integrate with the basic masses to fully understand them.

She shared some observations among those who took items from the pantry, including a homeless who declined getting more than two oranges and the street sweepers who were satisfied with two cabbages, saying these are already enough for them.

Aside from those who donated, Non also shared how tricycle drivers and other people in the areas helped repack the rice and other goods.

On Friday, she posted a video of food packs in the area, with people helping manage social distancing among the recipients.

While they accept monetary donations, Non said they prefer in kind or goods to allow them to continuously refill the pantry throughout the day.

“There are volunteer tricycles drivers who help repack item if you decide to drop off rice or other foods in bulk. This is a community effort po kaya mas maganda po kung katulong ko po kayo sa paglalagay at organize ng cart (tanggalin sa plastic para ‘di kuhanin in bulk),” she added.

Non also urged the public to establish community pantries in their respective barangays.

“‘Di nito masasagot ang root cause ng kagutuman pero okay na din na pantawid gutom sa mga nangangailangan. Mahirap magtrabaho, mag-aral at lumaban habang kumakalam ang tiyan,” she said.

“‘Wag mahiyang kumuha andun lang po ‘yun. May hand sanitizer din para sa mga kukuha at mag-iiwan. Kung kayo ay nasa neighborhood pwede din kayo mag-iwan sa community pantry ng groceries," Non told The STAR.

In Manila, the Vergara couple said some people have also reached out and informed them that they plan to establish similar pantries in their communities in Tondo and Bambang.

Several netizens have also indicated their plans to establish their pantries in their respective communities.

Failed response

Online, some netizens have pointed out how the pantries show the failure of the government to take care of the people, saying the public is once again left to fend for itself in times of crisis.

“Sa palpak na COVID-19 response, pagkakapatiran ang sagot ng mamamayan,” wrote San Fernando. “All power to the working-class communities!”

Rep. Argel Cabatbat, whose Magsasaka oarty-List provided support to the Matiyaga community pantry, urged politicians to recognize and support such initiatives from the public.

“Kung walang pagkukulang, walang ganitong initiative,” he told The STAR. “I am calling on all politicians, lunukin natin 'yung pride natin, sumunod tayo sa magagandang initiative ng mga tao. Suportahan natin.”

Cabatbat said he will file a House resolution to urge local government units to establish and support community pantry initiatives, such as by providing logistical support to transportation for donations.

He also underscored how such initiatives can help other affected sectors, such as the farmers who are also reeling from the impact of the pandemic.

“Hanggang ngayon naghahanap kami ng market para sa farmers,” he said, urging those who established community pantries to consider directly procuring from local farmers. – With Janelle Pusta Lorzano

(Photos are courtesy of those behind the community pantries and by Michael Varcas of The Philippine STAR)