“Mutual aid” stations continue to crop up across the country.
—CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
The giving continues.
May I offer this column today to share details on where you can contribute should you also catch what Foreign Secretary Teddyboy Locsin Jr. calls “an epidemic of kindness.”
Tanging Yaman Foundation
If you can’t set up your own community pantry, but would like to support one, you may help by donating goods. One way is through the Tanging Yaman Foundation Gulayan.
You need to fill up a Google form to order. There is a minimum order of 30 kilos and a schedule for pick up of vegetables. Visit the Tanging Yaman Foundation Facebook page facebook.com/tangingyamanofficial for more details including QR codes for donations.
Cordillera Landing On You (CLOY)
This is where I chose to donate for various reasons: (1) You hit two hungry birds with one kindness stone, i.e., you also help the farmers in the Cordillera region as this group purchases directly from them and brings the produce to Manila; (2) You are helping the poor eat healthy; (3) You don’t have to think about what vegetables to give as they already sort it out for you and put it in packs, making it easier for the recipients to bring home; (4) It is very affordable at only P100 a pack, which is given at cost; (5) You are able to reach out to community pantries that need it more. I just told them to just choose what community pantries to deliver to.
Find out more about CLOY on their Facebook page. Search Cordillera Landing On You.
Feed It Forward
The organization Feed It Forward put up a Labor Day community pantry in front of St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish and Diocesan Shrine in Tunasan, Muntinlupa. An anonymous donor donated several boxes of burgers and called it “community patty.”
Community pantry for riders
Organized by Love-Love Tengsico and the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation Inc., a community pantry for riders was put up along Jupiter Street.
The same concept was also done by a family in Better Living Subdivision. Abu Poblete and family calls the pantry in front of their home, the “Kuya and Ate Driver Pantry.”
Blessing Box and Kindness Station
In Bel-Air, there is the Barangay Bel Air Community Blessing Box. Organized by the barangay, the station located on Kalayaan corner N. Garcia gathers donations from residents, including those from Salcedo Village.
The primary recipients of the “blessing” boxes are the needy residents of the South Cemetery in Barangay Valenzuela.
There is also one organized by St. Andrew the Apostle Parish called the SAAP Kindness Station in Rizal Village. They are still accepting donations. You can even just send food and just tell the rider to drop off at the parish office and look for Lina or Arlyn.
Pandesal
If you would like to deliver pan de sal instead of vegetables, a baker offers a 20-percent discount if you order for community pantries. There is a minimum order of 25 packs at 15 pieces per pack.
The pandesal will be delivered for free to your chosen pantry within Metro Manila. To order, call 0906-4582260 or 0915-3092639.
Brewed coffee
In Barangay Santo Cristo in Albay, patrolman Mark Aleph Maceres set up a station offering brewed coffee. He also donates bread. The pantry serves street workers, including pedicab drivers.
Community Plant-ry
The BF (Bayaning Filipino) Northwest Community also put up their own, cooking lugaw as well for 100 tricycle drivers. They will also have a plant-ry, distributing free plants on Thursdays.
The same concept was executed by Carlos Gonzales who sells plants in Cavite City. His group was able to give away 150 plants on their first day.
Drive-through pantry by the Manila Police
The Manila Police District Station 4 in Sampaloc set up a drive-through community pantry for Labor Day, helping jeepney drivers, taxi drivers and tricycle drivers. They offered soup, eggs, bread and bottled water as well as food packs with rice, noodles and canned goods.
Community pharmacy
Pharmacy owner Kace Cirelos of Sampaloc, Manila, offered multivitamins, kits with masks, alcohol and assorted over-the-counter medicines. The medicines were donated by the owner’s pharmacist friends and other individuals.
We Give Our Yes! pantry
The Manila Cathedral joined the Intramuros community pantry, distributing 500 Years Mission Cross and rosaries.
Bureau of Fisheries
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Mariculture Technology Demonstration Center in Alaminos, Pangasinan, gave 100 kilos of tilapia to various community pantries. They also donated 50 kilos of fish to quarantine facilities and check points.
Community paw-ntry
Best of all, pets were not left behind. There is a pantry for stray dogs and cats and also for fur-moms and fur-dads who need help feeding their pets. Volunteers set up the paw-ntry at 107 Kalayaan Avenue in Makati beside the Abalos-Casas Dental Clinic. The same concept was done in Taytay, Rizal, with dog food neatly laid out on the table in packs.
These are all so inspiring. A community pantry is a sacred space that honors the code of giving what you can and for the hungry and helpless to take what they need.
And when you are no longer in need, perhaps you can pay it forward and give what you can. This concept allows the pantry to be sustained. May this love sustain us until we get out of this pandemic.