Ana Patricia Non has been recognized by the US Embassy for sparking the initiative to set up a community pantry for poor families at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava has handed over the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award on Wednesday, May 18, to commend her work that helped many families to get by during the lockdowns triggered by the pandemic.
"Empowered and courageous women can change the world for the better. I presented the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award to Ana Patricia Non for her community pantry initiative that inspired Filipinos to combine resources and help one another during the Covid-19 pandemic," Variava said in her tweet.
Empowered and courageous women can change the world for the better. I presented the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award to Ana Patricia Non for her community pantry initiative that inspired Filipinos to combine resources and help one another during the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/YYaQLVGwIZ
— Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Heather Variava (@USAmbPH) May 18, 2022
Non, who set up the first community pantry in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City in April 2021, sparked many other citizens and establishments to also set up a community pantry where Filipinos can get free supply of food based on their necessity.
Even other government agencies were inspired to set up their own community pantries, where produce from farmers and fishers were given for free.
However, as Non's initiative sparked more people to come out and help on their own, she also gained criticisms and was even red-tagged by the government.