Inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, many individuals and groups were also inspired to put up their own. Guided by its tagline “Give what you can, take only what you need”, many organizers and volunteers made their community pantry healthy and nutritious by giving fresh vegetables, fruits, and egg aside from rice, noodles, and canned goods. 

A month ago, the initiative of putting up a community pantry went viral on social media. Many well-meaning and good-hearted individuals and groups went out to either set-up their own community pantry or donate in kind or in cash with the hope that in their own little way they could help people in need.

Community pantry is a small table set up with various food items on it, located in an accessible area where people in need passing by can take for free as many items that they need. People who would like to give could either coordinate with the organizers or just put their donated items on the table.  

Following this initiative, the group of Ms. Marinette Ladioray also set up their own community pantry in Pandacan, Manila. They pooled their money to buy food items that they think are essential and nutritious.  The next thing they did was to set up a table and people started lining up to get what they need.  Their friends also reached out to them and asked how they can help this laudable initiative.

“Ngayong panahon ng pandemya, marami ang nangangailangan at karamihan sa kanila ay walang makain. Hindi sapat na mabigyan lang sila ng pantawid gutom. Kung tutulong tayo, importanteng isipin din natin ang kanilang kalusugan. Yung mga kukukuha sa pantry, sila yung gustuhin man nila na masustansya ang kainin, wala silang choice, kung ano lang meron, o kaya nilang bilhin, yun na lang. Sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng masustansyang pagkain sa pantry, katulad ng gulay at prutas, hindi ka lang nakatulong sa kalusugan nila. Tinuturuan mo din sila na mag effort, kahit sa simpleng pagluto at pag prepare nung pagkain”, said Ladioray.

Grace Family Helper Project, a member of the NCR Regional Nutrition Committee led by its Executive Director Marlene Viray-Navarro, also saw the value of putting up a community pantry.  According to ED Navarro, this is also an opportunity for them to reach out to more people in their barangay particularly children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. In partnership with the barangay council as well as private individuals and companies, they were able to set up their own community pantry to give healthy food items and even cooked foods to people in need. ED Navarro believes that the community pantry and their organization’s mission are one in purpose. “A food pantry built on service to the community inspired by the love of our Almighty God”, explained ED Viray.

In this time of uncertainties, the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ naturally comes out from the heart of Filipinos.  More and more people are doing something good to help those in need. And in the case of these community pantry organizers and donors, their support is levelling up.  Their purpose is not just to give but to give in a better way -- by giving nutritious food so that the people not only get food items that they need to ease hunger, but to get foods that will nourish their body and help them become more resilient during this pandemic.  

With more people experiencing hunger during this pandemic, we need to help one another.  In our own little way, let us reach out to those in need.  Together, we can rise above this pandemic and we will heal as one.


Written by NOIII Emerenciana L. Francia and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo