The community pantry project has inspired many to put up their own. And the "Bucana Community Pantry" in Davao stood out because, not only did it offer food and other grocery items to those in need, it also included contraceptives that were a welcome sight to those who chanced upon them.
"As a health advocate, I decided to add contraceptives (condoms, lubricants, and pills) to create awareness and prevent STI, HIV, and AIDS, and also teenage pregnancies," Regie B. Manginsay, DCC deputy convenor for Transgender under LGBT-QUEENS organization, tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.
"It is important that we are responsible sa lahat ng pagkakataon," Regie adds, crediting the help of One Heart Davao in their local community pantry efforts. Even their neighbors "openly accepted the community pantry with a twist."
Receiving so many praises, their team is planning to open other community pantries in different areas around Davao as part of their efforts to extend help to those who lost their jobs.