More and more areas are launching a community pantry, where those in need can get food and other products in the midst of a pandemic.
In Davao City, a community pantry was opened in front of a beverage shop on Roxas Avenue. It offers fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and other products.
The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pantry managers, on the other hand, reminded people to get only enough food and give others in need a chance to get it.
Davao residents were also encouraged to provide food and products.
In Iligan City, sisters Lucia and Luzanie Silva launched a community pantry in Barangay Canaway, allegedly inspired by the community pantry in Maginhawa, Quezon City.
The brothers made sure that the food was halal and pork-free so that Muslims could also benefit from it.
“We’re both from UP (University of the Philippines) Diliman and na-inspire kami sa Maginhawa Community Pantry initiative… Naisip namin, why not start this initiative in Iligan City?” said Lucia.
The pantry has already distributed vegetables, 100 packs of instant noodles, 50 sardines, 60 pieces of eggs, 50 packs of coffee, 25 packs of instant choco, 25 packs of milk and 3 boxes and face masks.
Community pantry launched in Davao City, Iligan
Most of the residents in the community are construction workers, jeepney drivers, vendors and other workers whose livelihoods have been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The siblings are once again collecting donations to redistribute.
They also encouraged other barangays in the city to build a pantry as well.
The community pantry was first reported on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City where people leave food that can be picked up for free by those in need.
In September 2020, Social Weather Stations (SWS) recorded the highest incidence of hunger of the Philippines after 7.6 million families said they went hungry at least once in the past three months amid the pandemic.
The proportion of households who experienced involuntary hunger increased to 30.7 percent from July to September, breaking the record of 23.8 percent registered in March 2012.
The hunger trend in the Philippines has been rising since May 2020. The country made progress in 2012 after it decreased to 23.8 in March 2012 and continued to decline to 8.8 percent in December 2019.
