LIST: Community pantries outside Metro Manila
MANILA, Philippines — A community pantry on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City inspired the opening of a slew of others not only in Metro Manila but also in several provinces and neighborhoods nationwide.
From Luzon to Mindanao, community pantries that were set up by ordinary folks and groups have provided many people affected by the pandemic with fresh produce, other food products, and even safety kits.
As explained by Ana Patricia Non, the 26-year-old organizer of the Maginhawa community pantry, the initiative was “not a charity” but “like a mutual aid.”
The Maginhawa community pantry was known for its principle of “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” or “Give whatever you can, take only what you need.”
The same principle was adopted by the community pantries listed below.
Antique
The official Facebook page of the Province of Antique on Monday posted a story of how a family in Sibalom started the first community pantry in a small neighborhood in the Municipality of Sibalom.
Article continues after this advertisement“From the streets of Maginhawa, Bicol, Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna, community pantries popped up and just recently in Calle Onse, Sibalom. The first in Antique, the Calle Onse community pantry aims to continue its predecessors’ goal of giving and helping,” the Facebook post read.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to the post, the community pantry was built by the family of Renalyn Valenzuela, a Grade 6 teacher at Sibalom Central Elementary School.
“The project was a joint effort between her and her cousins from abroad and started operations yesterday, April 18,” the post detailed.
Valenzuela and her family is no stranger when it comes to donating to those who are in need.
“Renalyn’s family has an annual gift-giving activity with the goal to help the less fortunate. But due to the pandemic, her cousins couldn’t come home or send packages because it would take too long to arrive. Sparked by the community pantries popping up in Luzon, her family decided to do the same.”
Aside from distributing goods that came from donations, Valenzuela told the provincial government of Antique that some farmers have also started selling their produce to them.
https://www.facebook.com/ProvinceOfAntique/posts/3964412350304472
Aurora
A community pantry was spotted in Dinangalan, Aurora last April 18.
After Angela Arreglado stacked vegetables, eggs, and other food items and placed them atop an old bench in front of a chapel, she took pictures and posted them online, inviting people to stop by.
https://www.facebook.com/gelabelz/posts/4294744637205289
“Maliit lang po ito at kakaunti pero sana po makatulong sa inyo at sa inyong mga kakilala. HUWAG PO KAYONG MAHIYA,” said Arreglado.
(This is just a small community pantry and it only has a few food products but I hope this can help you and other people as well. Do not be shy [to grab some items].)
Just hours after she posted the photos online, Arreglado proudly announced in a separate post that the pantry has been emptied.
https://www.facebook.com/gelabelz/posts/4295088593837560
“Ayon po sa ating pagmonitor, syempre po may iba’t ibang klase po ng tao talaga. Pero masaya po akong ibahagi na marami po yung mga kumukuha ng iilang piraso ng itlog at sili ay nag-aabot ng PHP20. Hindi po tayo tatanggi. HAHAHA! Nakakatuwa po,” she wrote.
(Based on what I have monitored, of course, there are various kinds of people. Still, I am happy to share that most of the people who came only grabbed small or few items such as few pieces of eggs and chili peppers which in total is worth PHP 20.)
“May mga monetary donations din po na pumapasok pero MAS MAHALAGA PO ANG MGA PAGKAIN/BAGAY NA MAGMUMULA RIN SA MASA,” she continued.
(We also received monetary donations, but it is better if we get food or items from the people.)
For those who are willing to donate, you can send it to Arreglado’s GCash account number: 09179741839.
In the Municipality of San Luis, a local confectionery shop has joined the initiative and put up a small community pantry for the Aetas who live near Purok 1 in Barangay Diteki.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga nagbigay ng tulong. Nakakataba po ng puso na makita ung mga ngiti sa kanilang mga muka dahil sa munti nating tulong,” Ecura’s Delicacies posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
(Thanks to all who helped. I love seeing their happy faces because of our little help.)
“Mayroon din po kaming nakita na lola kanina doon na naglalako ng ampalaya kaya binili na din po natin at inilagay sa pantry para tulong na po kay Nanay. Kaya sa mga gusto pong magdala ng gulay, pwede po dun na tayo bili para tulong din po sa mga nandun,” the shop added.
(We also found a grandmother selling ampalaya earlier there, so we purchased that and put it in mom’s pantry. for those who want to bring vegetables, we can purchase them there as well.)
They are accepting cash and in-kind donations.
Bulacan
On Wednesday, Barangay Panginayin Guiguino, Bulacan announced on its official Facebook page about the opening of their community pantry.
https://www.facebook.com/BrgyPanginayGTO/posts/1113135152541525
“Magandang umaga po. Ipibabatid po ng ating Kap. MARVIN S. AZORES na nagbukas na po ang ating community pantry at maaari na pong magsadya sa ACTIVITY CENTER ang mga residente ng ating barangay mula sa LOPEZ at ENRIQUEZ STREET, kasama ang mga naninirahan sa PROVINCIAL ROAD mula sa maliit na tulay hanggang sa Barangay hall,” the local government said.
(Barangay Capt. Marvin S. Azores would like to inform everyone of the opening of our community pantry. Residents of our barangay, from Lopez to Enriquez Street, as well as those who are near Provincial Road, can now visit the community pantry at the activity center.)
“Sa araw naman po ng BIYERNES ang magiging schedule ng mga naninirahan sa Cefels Subd., NIA Road, C. Mercado street, at Brooklyn Subdivision, kasama ang mga taga Provincial Road mula barangay hall hanggang bago mag WinFair Supermarket,” it added.
(On Friday, residents of Cefels Subd., NIA Road, C. Mercado street, at Brooklyn Subdivision along with those from Provincial Road can go to the community pantry.)
(Residents of Cefels Subd., NIA Road, C. Mercado street, at Brooklyn Subdivision along with those from Provincial Road may go to the community pantry on Friday.)
The official Facebook page of Barangay Sta. Rita Aplaya in Bulacan likewise posted about the community pantries that have popped up within the area.
On Monday, the barangay featured some photos of the community pantries – one located at a Barangay covered court and the other in Duhatan.
https://www.facebook.com/barangay.staritaaplaya/posts/848303419417450
“Walang masama ang makigaya,kung ito’y malaking tulong sa iba. Walang masama ang makigaya, kung bukal sa kalooban ang pagsi share ng biyaya,” the Facebook post read.
(There is nothing wrong to copy something if it is going to be a great help to others. There is nothing wrong to copy as long as people are willing to share their blessings.)
“Mga kabarangay kahit po sa ganitong pamamaraan ay makatulong ito sa inyo, at the same time makatulong po tayo. Wag pong mahihiyang lumapit at kumuha ng inyong pangangailangan. Wag pong mag-atubiling magbigay na ayon sa inyong kakayahan at kalugod lugod sa kalooban,” it added.
(We hope that this can help the residents and that it can be used so that the residents can help each other. Do not be shy to visit the pantry and get what you need. Do not hesitate to give and donate anything that you can share.)
The barangay on Tuesday also shared that another community pantry was set up in St. Martin Relocation/Makukak.
Leyte
“Kuha Base Ha Imo Panginahanglan, Hatag Base ha Imo Akos,” Tacloban Community Pantry’s Facebook page posted on Tuesday.
(Take only what you need, give what you can.)
https://www.facebook.com/TacCommunityPantry/posts/104715931760678
“Nagsama-sama ang mga kabataan ng lungsod upang magbigay tulong sa mga pamilya sa mga nangangailangang komunidad. Nais naming magpasalamat sa lahat nang lumahok at nag-abot ng mga essential goods,” the post read.
(The city’s youth joined up to help needy families. Thanks to everyone who helped out)
The community pantry in Tacloban, Leyte can be found at Jones St., Downtown in front of the Environmental Management Bureau and is open every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“Patuloy namin kayong hinihikayat na sumama sa adbokasiyang ito. Maari ninyong i-kontact ang page na ito kung gusto ninyong tumulong. Tumatanggap kami ng mga in-kind at monetary donations. Padayon mga Taclobanon!”
(We are encouraging you to help with this advocacy. You can contact us for help. This page accepts in-kind and monetary donations.)
The group’s official drop-off point for donations is at Calutan Mktg. located at Salazar St. Across Kapangian Central School. They are also accepting donations sent through GCash: Lyka Kate Dela Cerna, 09275833049.
https://www.facebook.com/barangay.staritaaplaya/posts/849044569343335
Oriental Mindoro
In Sitio Maharlika located in the Municipality of Roxas, Irgie Monroyo Dalida laid out some vegetables, fruits, eggs, cup noodles, and other food products on two tables and started the Sitio Maharlika Community Pantry.
Dalida mentioned in his Facebook post on Monday that he was inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry.
https://www.facebook.com/irgie.dalida/posts/4247738388595206
“Libreng pagkain dito po sa harap ng bahay. Let’s keep the snowball rolling,” he said.
(We have free food in front of our house. Let’s keep the snowball rolling.)
“Kaunting tulong po sa kapwa nating mamamayan. Hehe ♥️
Pwede nyo po i-drop off o ipadala ang gusto nyo pong ibigay. Salamat po!” he added.
(This is just a small help for our fellow residents. You may drop off or send any donation that you can give. Thank you!)
Pangasinan
Tyra Vyl Urbano, a resident of Barangay Agno in Pangasinan, along with some of her friends has decided to set up a community pantry in her area.
https://www.facebook.com/tyravyl.urbano/posts/3844799732272745?_rdc=1&_rdr
“We are putting together a local community pantry for our fellow Agnoans who are in need. The pantry accepts donations from kind-hearted individuals,” Urbano said in a social media post on Tuesday.
“We have already purchased canned goods, coffee, milk, noodles, biscuits, rice, eggs, and toiletries as of today. In-kind donations are preferred, cash donations are also welcome,” she added.
Urbano told INQUIRER.net that she and her friends are currently in high school and were inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry.
In a separate post on Wednesday, Urbano said they are also accepting in-kind donations, which can be sent at #14 Rizal St. Pob. East, Agno, Pangasinan (Payumi’s Kitchen).
https://www.facebook.com/tyravyl.urbano/posts/3847031212049597?_rdc=1&_rdr
Meanwhile, For Our Farmers, a youth-led, non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to help and uplift local farmers and fisherfolks, started a community pantry in Sitio Baybay located in Barangay Ano, San Carlos, Pangasinan.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat nang nagpaabot ng tulong. Sa kasalukuyan, tayo ay sumusuporta sa anim na community pantries sa buong Luzon. Maaari pa rin po kayong mag-paabot ng tulong at suporta sa ating mga community pantries,” the group said in a social media post on April 18.
(We would like to thank everyone who extended their help. We are currently supporting six community pantries in Luzon. You can still send your help and support to our community pantries.)
https://www.facebook.com/forourfarmersph/posts/281994963415672
To learn more about the group’s donation channels, check out one of their Facebook post embedded below.
https://www.facebook.com/forourfarmersph/posts/281379580143877
“All community pantries we organized are still open to the public. For those who would like to extend their help, please don’t forget to send us a copy of the transaction receipt. Kindly put « community pantry » or « bodegang bayan » in the remarks section. Maraming salamat. (Thank you so much),” For Our Farmers said in another post.
Quezon
Audrey Abling Tajantajan from Macalelon, Quezon took inspiration from the Maginhawa community pantry to start a mutual aid program in his area.
https://www.facebook.com/audrey.tajantajan.1/posts/2340717406072134
After his initial Facebook post on Tuesday, Tajantajan posted some photos on Wednesday which showed residents who were able to visit the community pantry and get some food.
“Nais po naming magpasalamat sa lahat ng nagbigay upang maging matagumpay ang aming unang araw sa pagsasagawa ng community pantry sa bayan ng Macalelon. Ang lahat ng ito ay napunta sa mga taong nangangailangan lalo na sa panahon ngayon na merong pandemya,” he said in the post.
(We would like to thank everyone who helped make our first day of community pantry in Macalelon a success. Every donation was given directly to those who are truly in need, especially now during the pandemic.)
https://www.facebook.com/audrey.tajantajan.1/posts/2340944876049387
Tajantan told INQUIRER.net they are willing to accept donations, which can be sent to his GCash number 09394843001.
Rizal
According to Sulong Binangonan, “an online and offline donation drive and bayanihan effort initiated by the Sulong Kabataan Youth Organization,” a total of 12 community pantries are already in full operation in the municipality as of Tuesday night.
https://www.facebook.com/sulongbinangonan/posts/133268921926408
The 12 community pantries are located in:
Sitio Matikiw sa Calumpang
Hiway sa Calumpang (near Binangonan Memorial Homes)
Madrigal Village (near Tamarind Resort)
Mango Fever sa Libis (parallel to Jollibee at 767 sa Bayan)
San Juan Extension (500 San Juan Ext.)
Mabuhay Homes (corner ng San Antonio)
P. Burgos St. sa Lunsad (beside Wash N’Go Carwash)
Rizal National Science High School
San Juan (Ren Rye Food Hub / Camia Street)
Saperia Looban sa Calumpang
Calumpang Covered Court
Grand View Homes 2 Homeowners Association
“Para po sa mga nais tumulong o magdonate, maaari pong magbase sa mga impormasyon na nakalagay sa bawat pantry,” the organization said in a Facebook post.
“Ngayong linggo ay magbubukas na din po ang ilan pang community pantries sa Sysna sa Calumpang, Bilibiran, St. Monique, St. Michael, Batingan, Tatala atbp. Abangan po natin para sa bayanihan,” it added.
Romblon
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Maca Eligo announced the opening of the community pantry in Barangay Sugod Cajidocan in Romblon.
https://www.facebook.com/eligomaca/posts/4062890347130834?_rdc=1&_rdr
“Isang myembro lamang po ng bawat pamilya ang pwedeng kumuha at ang mga items na kukunin ay limitado lamang sa lima sa kadahilanang tayo po nagsisimula pa lamang sa pangangalap ng mga donasyon upang lubos na maipamahagi sa lahat ng nangangailangan. Ipinagbabawal din po namin ang pagpunta ng sinumang may edad 18 pababa at ang pagpapanatili ng social distancing,” Eligo said in the post.
(Only one person per family gets enough food for five people since we’re still collecting donations. The under-18s are not allowed to go.)
According to Eligo, those who are willing to donate can drop by at their community pantry near Ancheta’s Hardware in Barangay Sugod. They are also accepting cash donations which can be sent to this GCash account number: 09987224012.
Tarlac
For Our Farmers posted on Tuesday a photo of an elderly woman who is seen getting two eggs and a pack of instant noodles from a community pantry in Pura, Tarlac.
https://www.facebook.com/forourfarmersph/posts/283209346627567
In a separate post on Monday, the organization shared photos of the same community pantry in Purok Kamarin Barangay Linao.
“Ang lahat ng ating gulay ay direktang binili sa mga magsasaka sa Tarlac at Pangasinan. Tayo rin ay nagpapadala ng gulay at tumutulong sa mga community pantries sa Metro Manila,” the group said.
(All of our vegetables are directly bought from the farmers of Tarlac and Pangasinan. We also send vegetables to our community pantries in Metro Manila.)
https://www.facebook.com/forourfarmersph/posts/282531706695331
Zamboanga
Meanwhile, photos of a community pantry in Zaboanga City became viral online on Tuesday.
According to a social media post by INQUIRER.NET, all goods in the said community pantry came directly from the farm of Rey Perez Bucoy.
https://www.facebook.com/inquirerdotnet/posts/10161282596299453?_rdc=1&_rdr
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