Solidarity in service

(Last of a series)

For the past two weeks, we discussed how people generously supported The Community Pantry in New Manila, set up by Charlemagne “Charlie” Yu, who teaches law at the University of the Philippines. The pantry has now moved to a more central location on Broadway Avenue, between Aurora Boulevard and N. Domingo Street in Quezon City.

The needy recipients who continue lining up daily for food packs are not the only ones benefiting from the pantry.

The young volunteers in charge of logistics received an unexpected reward—in terms of mental health. Several are corporate professionals involved in prepandemic outreach activities, which had to be halted today.

“Several of our volunteers experienced personal difficulties and admittedly had episodes of depression due to prolonged lockdown,” says Yu. “When they heard about our pantry, they volunteered to help in operations, and even contributed their own money as well.

“Leading this effort is Jhoanna Llaga who took care of the overall logistics and led the team [to ensure seamless functioning], which is done with fun and laughter. Our young volunteers found a new purpose in this pandemic.”

I wholeheartedly agree: finding purpose is essential to sustain mental health in this crisis. My clinically depressed college student “Jim” (not his real name) found meaning in cooking and serving food for loved ones during the pandemic (“A sense of purpose,” July 2, 2020).

Jim is still on medication today, but he says, “Before the pande­mic, when I woke up, I felt like a zombie. Now I have no time to dwell on bad things. I plan menus and try recipes. It’s tiring and sometimes the food does not come out right. But my family and friends love it, which is awesome.”

To those who would like to open a community pantry, Yu advises, “The support of local government units (LGUs) is critical in our success. [Quezon City] Mayor Joy Belmonte is openly supportive of and assured complete protection to all community pantries in the city. City Hall officials like Margarita ‘Margie’ Santos, and courteous barangay tanods, facilitated the smooth operation of our pantry.”

To families who want to help, Yu says, “There is so much one person can do. Symbolized by a simple table with a few food items, a pantry speaks directly to the human heart: Give what you can, take only what you need. This message ignited a nation to come together to help one another.

“If each of us would place a few items on a table outside our homes for others to partake, there can be one less hungry family for the day. If some amongst us would pool together our individual efforts, we can have community pantries in every corner of our country.

“Let not the fear that some would abuse the system paralyze us from reaching out to help others. As long as we observe safety protocols and work closely with our LGUs, community pantries can help save lives, fight fear and bring hope.”

“Solidarity finds concrete expression in service, which can take a variety of forms in an effort to care for others,” says Pope Francis in his book “Let Us Dream.”

“And service in great part means ‘caring for vulnerability, for the vulnerable members of our families, our society, our people,’” he adds. Sharing of goods is “pure Christianity.”

Of this pandemic, the Pope says, “The basic rule of a crisis is that you don’t come out of it the same. If you get through it, you come out better or worse, but never the same.”

Many doctors and other caregivers gave their lives to save others, and “to honor [them] we have to build tomorrow by following the path they have lit for us,” he adds.

So Pope Francis urges, “This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities—what we value, what we want, what we seek—and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of.”

“There is no better way to practice our faith,” says Yu.

The Community Pantry sa New Manila accepts donations in cash and kind. Call Bheng at 0927-3940785. Drop off your contributions at 2F Gilmore Heights Building, Castillas corner Granada Streets, Barangay Valencia, Quezon City. Visit the TayoTayo Community Pantry sa New Manila on Facebook.

Queena N. Lee-Chua is with the board of directors of Ateneo’s Family Business Center. Get her book “All in the Family Business” via Lazada or the ebook version on Amazon, Google Books and Apple Books. Contact the author at [email protected].