The head of Caritas Philippines has lauded the establishment of community pantries in different parts of the country saying it Is the most Christian response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Caritas Philippines National Director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the emergence of community pantries “is one of the most Christian responses at a time when self-preservation, and addiction to power are very eminent.”
"We are very happy and thankful that our communities never cease to bring out the innate generosity, kindness and compassion in everyone even at a time when poverty is most visible," he said in a statement Monday, April 19.
Father Antonio Labiao, Caritas Philippines’ Executive Secretary, recalled the Caritas Kindness Stations launched in April 2020 with the aim of advocating for a community-based replicable localized response which empowers all members of the community to: “take what you need, spare some for others, and give what you can.”
The concept, originally adopted from The Kindness Station project by a group of friends in Sorsogon City, only entailed a starting fund of 1,500 pesos (for canned goods, condiments, noodles, vegetables, crops, etc.) and half sack of rice. As neighbors and other donors started to share goods, the stations multiplied in other areas.
The Caritas Kindness Station is being implemented in more than 15 provinces in the country which is also being tied up with the diocesan programs on food security like that in Caritas Caceres in Camarines Sur, and the Social Action Center in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
"We are able to connect the Caritas Kindness Stations with our parish and Social Action Center-based vegetable gardens which in turn promoted household-based food security initiatives,” said Labiao.
The government-initiated Pilipinas Kontra Gutom said at least four million Filipinos experience involuntary hunger (hunger due to lack of food to eat) at least once in 2020.
"With the pandemic, it is expected that the number has increased exponentially. Thus the need for a concerted localized effort to respond to the problem. The organization of the Caritas Kindness Stations, and the community pantries is a manifestation of what we can do to augment the resources of the government to help the most in need families affected by the pandemic,” said Bishop Bagaforo.
“As a people, we are powerful. Hence, we continue to call on all individuals, families and communities to establish these kindness stations or whatever you want to call it. The important thing is, as a Christian nation, we collectively look and reach out for our neighbors. At Caritas Philippines, we call it alay kapwa,” he added.