One of the heart-warming scenes witnessed by community pantry organizers in Marikina City was seeing tears of joy from people who can hardly make ends meet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing inspiration from the Maginahawa Community Pantry, a group of young professionals in Marikina City came together for a noble cause—to build a community pantry for those who can no longer put food on their plates.
Cedric John Moneda, a web developer, and his friends Peter Ortiz, RJ Fe Guzman, and Shekinah Argudo started the Marikina Community Pantry located in Barangay Marikina Heights. All of them are in their 20’s.
“Iyong mga walang-wala talaga, like ‘yung mga basurero, homeless, sila ‘yung hiyang-hiya na kumuha ng food sa pantry (Those people who really have nothing, such as garbage collectors and the homeless, they are the ones really shy of getting food from the pantry),” he shared.
“And minsan kapag madami ang binibigay namin sa kanila, naiiyak pa sila. Kasi daw marami na ang nabigay namin, baka mawalan daw ‘yung iba (And sometimes when we give them a lot, they get teary-eyed. They're worried that there might not be enough food left for others).”
After spending days manning their pantry, Moneda realized that less fortunate individuals are more selfless and giving as they know the feeling to have nothing.
He said that there was also an instance when a banana cue vendor declined to get more food from the pantry, telling the organizers that she already got some supplies the other day and would be enough for their family.
However, he said that there were also people taking more than what they need. This was the reason why they had to take shifts in guarding the pantry to ensure that people would take only what they need.
His advice to people planning to open a community pantry: “It just takes a little bit of courage. Basta if you are willing to help and if your intentions are pure, there is really nothing to be worried about.”
“Also, we are people with day jobs. It’s really just a matter of time management, so you can balance both,” Moneda added.
High school student’s pantry
After seeing one of the tweets of Manila Bulletin, netizen Jen Ramos-Napilot shared about the initiative of a high school student who opened his own pantry in Sangandaan, Caloocan.
“I believe it will spark hope once people read about it that, even a high school student, can make an impact and add value to this generation,” she told the Manila Bulletin, saying she was touched by the student’s initiative.
She was referring to John Tapulao, 18, a Grade 12 student of the Caloocan City Science High School.
As some people try to discredit community pantries on social media, they circulate this phrase: “Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime."
And this is Tapulao’s meaningful response to people saying community pantries encourage pandemic-hit Filipinos to be lazy: “And here I simply ask, what if there are no ponds available? What if fishing opportunities are limited? “
“We are in a pandemic. People lost jobs. Poor became poorer. I agree that if we can give jobs let’s give jobs. But what if the only thing we can offer is food that can last for a day?”
He added that, in the Bible, the command to look after the poor is very clear.
“Let’s take care of them in small ways we can. Pray for provision.”
Couple, neighbor team up to open pantry
In Barangay 80, Caloocan, couple Marisa Barrera and Patrick Santos collaborated with their neighbor, Dana Torio, to open a community pantry in front of a University Hills Subdivision.
Barrera said that they were also inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry so they opened the pantry where people in dire need could easily access.
Aside from goods, they also offer packed cat and dog foods, calling it “community PAWntry.”
Family opens pantry in Pampanga
The Del Rosario family in Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampang has also opened a community pantry in front of their house.
In a Facebook post, Mj Del Rosario said that their pantry also offers some clothes.
“Kumwa agpang keng kailangan, mamye agpang keng agyu (Get only what you need, give based on your capability),” she said, channeling the concept of the Maginhawa Community Pantry in the Kapampangan language.
7 chapels open pantries for the poor
Inspired by the concept of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, the Conversion of St. Paul Parish (COSP) in San Pablo 1st, Lubao, Pampanga opened community pantries at all the seven chapels under the parish.
Parishioners said the opening of pantries at chapels under COSP was the idea of their parish priest, Rev. Fr. Gabriel P. Mercado.
Some of COSP’s pantries have non-prescription medicines for those who cannot afford to buy such amid the pandemic.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), over 450,000 people lost their jobs in 2020 due to the pandemic as many businesses were forced to close.
The stories of friends, students, families, and church groups opening community pantries are proof that solidarity or “Bayanihan” is very much alive during these trying times. The message is plain and simple, help if you have the capability to do so—it only takes courage and a pure intention to extend a helping hand to those in need.