National News

Modern Day Bayanihan: The Rise of Community Pantries





“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangaliangan.”

Give what you can, take only what you need. Perhaps you have heard about this slogan numerous times in the past few days. With the pandemic taking its toll on the health and livelihood of many, a lot of our kababayans have been struggling to keep up with the effects of the pandemic: inflation and unemployment. That and risking one’s health just to put food on the table. But this young entrepreneur from Quezon City decided that all it takes is a spark to ignite the compassion ingrained in a community struck by a pandemic.

Related: Sadanga Mayor Uplifts Indigenous Practice of Helping by Humbly Refusing to Receive Relief





On April 14, 2021, Ana Patricia Non filled a bamboo cart with basic necessities: food, medicine, and toiletries. She placed it near a lamp post and a tree along Maginhawa St., Quezon City. She called it the Maginhawa Community Pantry, wherein the neighborhood can take things according to their needs. On the flip side, those who have something to spare can replenish the pantry. No other rules or limits were imposed, except to follow the minimum public health protocols and stay true to the slogan.

Neither the cart nor the signage was grandiose. Just a shelf enough to house the grocery items, and handwritten signage readable enough for those who are in need and those who want to help sustain the community pantry.

 





While Non acknowledged that this initiative will not answer the root cause of hunger in the country, she hopes it will be enough to cross out hunger among the list of battles the Filipinos have to fight against, even just for one day at a time.

The Rise of Community Pantries

Her initiative didn’t stop with her or in Maginhawa it seems, as her simple Facebook post and act of kindness has inspired private individuals and groups from around the country to follow suit. Community pantries were built in different neighborhoods in NCR, Baguio City, La Trinidad, Cagayan, Iloilo, and Bicol, to name some.

Community pantries around the Philippines




Challenges Amid Bayanihan

The community pantries were built on the essence of community honesty, trust, and empathy for the next people in line, and although numerous donors came to keep the pantries alive, there are also adversities that are trying to put them to a halt.

The rise of community pantries reminds us of the powerful effects of bayanihan, shared empathy, and fellowship. Like community pantries, the only way we can all make it out of this pandemic or any adversities is by looking out for each other. As Margaret Wheatley says:

There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Given the chance, would you build a community pantry in your neighborhood? We can show our support for our kababayans during this time of need by donating, volunteering, or even the mere act of spreading the word about community pantries can help this ripple of kindness spread throughout the country and around the world.



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