Help out with community pantries and pay it forward
Equipped with free supplies, a bamboo rack, and the desire to help, Ana Patricia Non took matters into her own hands and started the first community pantry spot on Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. Its main instruction and principle was “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa kailangan.” (Give what you can, take what you need—a slogan that hails back to the Marxist principle, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”) This encouraged everyone to do as told, also paying it forward by dropping supplies to spare in community pantries so that those in need can take it. In less than a week, she was able to help those in need from nearby neighborhoods.
In an interview with Rappler, Patricia states that she’s tired of inaction and also tired of complaining. Her advocacy to help out those in need sparked waves of generosity and bayanihan as other community pantries sprung up when hers went viral. There are community pantries all over the country. Despite burgeoning and existing threats of pantries being red tagged, organizers still persevered and continued their initiatives to bring aid to those who need it the most.
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At this point, political leanings and affiliations shouldn’t be the first reason why people should or should not help. What Patricia and other community pantry organizers are championing now is the need for unity to help those in need.
If you’re more than eager to help out, the least you can do is help signal boost community pantries in need of donations and volunteers. But don’t be afraid to take a step further. If you’ve got some cash to spare, help out by donating to different initiatives that aim to sustain and put up more community aids like these.
Matatag Community Pantry
Matatag St. Cor Maaralin St., Brgy. Central, QC
https://www.facebook.com/ivanka.custodio/posts/10222795975780537
Aside from offering the community food supplies and immediate toiletries, the organizers over at Matatag Community Pantry are offering more help to women and the LGBT+ community. Your can get contact details for HIV testing and violence against women in the pantry. These are to help in addressing other rising concerns that spiked during the pandemic.
Send your donation via GCash (09205328788, Ivanka Custodio).
Loyola Heights Community Pantry
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
We're officially open!!! <3
For Cash donations: 09053334599 (Gcash)
For in kind donations: Drop off at the pantry (in front of the Brgy. Loyola Heights Hall, in front of El Chapo's https://t.co/LaLXw8bJjq pic.twitter.com/DQPj3a37fG— ia (@_eeyah) April 17, 2021
You can drop off donations at the pantry across the Barangay Loyola Heights Hall, in front of El Chapo’s. You can also donate through GCash (09053334599, Ia Marañon). Don't forget to indicate that it's a donation for the community pantry!
P. Noval Community Pantry
1135 P. Noval St., Sampaloc, Manila
https://www.facebook.com/toots.vergara/posts/10158117863373603
You may drop off donations in-kind at 1135 P. Noval Street, Sampaloc, Manila and offer cash donations by sending them to Toots Vergara’s GCash: 09178569175.
Makati Community Pantry
Milkweed St., Brgy. Rizal, Makati City
Today, the Makati Community Pantry was successfully organized at Milkweed St., Brgy. Rizal for Makati residents!
For those who want to support, email [email protected]#CommunityPantryPH pic.twitter.com/eoH2cmAG72
— she rebels, and is peremptorily fired (@purp_bag) April 18, 2021
Makati City has its own community pantry as well, led by resident Fel Cayabyab. To offer donations and volunteer help of any kind, send her an email at [email protected].
ARMY Cavite Fanbase’s Community Pantry
Dasmarinas, Cavite
[COMMUNITY PANTRY UPDATE]
Let us continue lifting each other up, and makes the world a better place.
If you want to contribute you may send your monetary donation here:
GCASH: 09499422289 (Shyra Mae Doroteo)
Paypal: [email protected]+ PHOTOS: https://t.co/LNz6fJKD0W https://t.co/m9ZkKSkA2L pic.twitter.com/cdmx4cu9Vj
— ARMY Cavite Fanbase? ??? (@army_cavite) April 19, 2021
K-Pop fan communities are no strangers in paying it forward and working for their own advocacies. This BTS fanbase in Cavite put up two community pantries within the area to help as many people in need.
Cash donations may be sent through GCash (09499422289, Shyra Mae Doroteo) or Paypal ([email protected]).
Mobile Community Pantry by GO BIKE Project
Bugallon, Pangasinan
https://www.facebook.com/gobikeproject/posts/1799184650264748
In a report by Philippine Star, the Mobile Pantry also offers free blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar testing on top of essential goods. Volunteers are also trained with first aid and basic life support. The local government unit and the Philippine Red Cross helped with the training. This initiative brings overall health to the doorsteps of those in need.
Cash donations may be sent through GCash (09153963073) or Banco De Oro (003480474742).
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Other Community Pantries Near You
https://twitter.com/RatzielSanJuan/status/1384041352665583617
In a tweet, multimedia journalist Ratziel San Juan offered a centralized master sheet of community pantries. The publicly accessible database covers the entire country, in case there are interested donors who wish to offer aid in farther areas. You can also check out the #CommunityPantryPH hashtag on Twitter for more updates.
In other words, Don’t limit yourself to the list of pantries up there. There are also smaller initiatives that need more donations, more volunteers, and more visibility. As mentioned, signal boosting through your socials is also a big help. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to be like Patricia and countless other organizers: act now by giving what you can or starting a community pantry in your own area.
Art Matthew Ian Fetalver
