Inspired by the movement started at Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, a community pantry is now growing and being set up in every part of the Philippines where areas are supplied with various agricultural products and other food packs made available for those who are struggling for food.

According to the Philippine Statistic Authority, the Labor Force Survey in January 2021 showed that the unemployment rate in the country has increased to 8.7 percent this year from 5.3 percent in 2020 –with jobless Filipinos surging to four million.

The 2020 Global Hunger Index ranked the Philippines as the 69th out of 107 countries with a score of 19.0, which the Philippines is one point closer to a serious hunger stage.

However, despite the growing statistics of hunger and job problems in the Philippines turned out most Filipinos are keeping the spirit of “bayanihan” (teamwork) alive amid the ongoing health and economic crisis in the country.

How did the Community Pantry start?

The person behind the slogan “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” (From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs) was started by Ana Patricia Non, a small business owner who initiated the Maginhawa Community Pantry on April 15, 2021.

“Mula sa masa tungo sa masa! (From the masses, for the masses),” Non posted a photo of a placard that Maginhawa pantry just received sacks of sweet potatoes donated by Tarlac farmers.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2881460242111673&set=a.1724450561145986

Non who has immense faith in humanity is not afraid that her pantry would draw hoarders to take advantage of the open pantry.

The organizer shared that one needs to learn how to share and that’s the essence of giving. “To take only what is needed and give only what they can afford,” is what she wants to impart to everyone in these trying times.

Non gained praises for initiating the project. Now other communities are doing the same effort to spread the good deeds. Non doesn’t want to get much credit because she believed that community efforts are the one that made the “open pantry” possible.

How to set up a community pantry in your place?

As of writing, the community pantry in Quezon City has resonated in parts of QC, Makati, Marikina, Sampaloc Manila, San Mateo, Los Baños, Pasay, Angono Rizal, Laguna, Bacoor, Baguio City, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Cagayan, Palawan, and Cebu.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4091435160964212&set=a.123600574414377

Mak Ò Micro-Press, a self-publishing press posted on Facebook a sample of step-by-step guidelines on how to set up a DIY pantry. Its content includes the following steps:

Firstly, ask for help.

Secondly, know the need to start. List the basic necessities.

Thirdly, find a vacant area that is accessible to the public.

Lastly, set up a pantry.

https://www.facebook.com/mako.micropress/posts/4214656478567618

With this, you must set aside disbeliefs about the negative possibilities and trust the public wherein one gets responsible for what they need and what is enough.

Source: https://www.globalhungerindex.org/philippines.html

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/obet.decastro.7