The Community Pantry PH has launched a large-scale feeding initiative to support evacuees affected by days of heavy rainfall and flooding, serving hot meals through more than 100 community kitchens across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The Community Kitchen Hub is currently active in multiple cities, bringing much-needed food relief to thousands in evacuation centers.

As of 5:42 PM on July 22, the kitchens have been set up in various locations, including Marikina with 25 kitchens, Rizal with 22, Quezon City with 13, Valenzuela with nine, Caloocan and Manila with eight each, Bulacan with eight, Pasig with five, and Parañaque with three.

The initiative was organized in response to the severe impact of floods that have displaced thousands of families in low-lying communities.

In a Facebook post, Community Pantry PH initiator Patricia Non expressed her gratitude to the volunteers’ tireless service.

“Tuwing may ganap ang Community Pantry PH, relief ops man o hindi, lagi pa din ako nagugulat kung gaano kagaling, kababait at mapagbigay ng mga tao. Hindi man sa pag-romanticize sa mga kalamidad at pandemic pero dito ko natutunan kung paano natin nae-empower ang isa't isa at kung paano natin nire-reclaim ang rights natin tulad ng safe na space at pagkain gaano man kahirap ang sitwasyon (Whenever Community Pantry PH has an activity, whether it's relief operation or not, I'm always amazed by how skilled, kind, generous people are. It's not about romanticizing calamities or the pandemic, but it's through these moments that I've learned how we can empower one another and reclaim our rights, like access to safe spaces and food, no matter how difficult the situation),” she said.

“Babangon at kikilos ang mga tao para sa isa't isa.Hindi po pulitiko ang mga taong ito pero ang sisipag magserbisyo. Sana eventually makuha na din natin 'yung mga tamang serbisyo para sa atin so we can do so much more for ourselves, our family at sa ating community. Yakap! Maraming salamat sa lahat ng kitchen organizers (People will rise and act for each other. These people are not politicians but they serve hard. I hope, we eventually get the right services for us so we can do so much more for ourselves, our family and our community. Hugs! Many thanks to all the kitchen organizers),” she added.

The first Community Pantry was established in April 2021 by Non along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns.