Ana Patricia Non refills the Maginhawa Community Pantry on Thursday, April 15, 2021, which she set up to help people who are badly affected by the pandemic and have difficulty finding food to serve on their tables. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe filed Monday a resolution commending Ana Patricia Non as well as other organizers and volunteers of community pantries in the country for “igniting the true Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Under Senate Resolution No. 714, Poe said the proliferation of community pantries in the country is proof that “the Filipino bayanihan spirit is alive and many Filipinos remain willing to help despite experiencing hardships themselves.”
“This spirited moment of selflessness amid the pandemic must be encouraged and aided by the government to ensure the implementation of health and safety protocols instead of closing it down or subjecting it to red-tagging,” Poe said in the resolution.
According to Poe, even with the implementation of the special amelioration program for those affected by the lockdowns, as well as the numerous livelihood programs of various government agencies, “help seemed scarce and hardly enough to provide food on the table”, leading to the rise of community pantries.
In particular, Poe cited Non who organized the community pantry in Maginhawa St. in Quezon City which inspired others to carry out the same initiative in their areas.
“Aside from giving food and nourishment to thousands, the first community pantry encouraged kindness and compassion, re-awakened the sense of solidarity among Filipinos, and inspired many more to do the same,” said Poe.