How a humble community pantry ignited the spread of Bayanihan spirit
A noble initiative has become the hottest feel-good story of the week.
The community pantry along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City has reminded the public of the Bayanihan spirit or the act of communal unity and helping each other out in times of need.
The brainchild of Ana Patricia Non, the community pantry features a simple two-tiered bamboo cart that contains grocery items such as canned goods, vegetables, rice, and other essentials.
Passersby can take whatever they need from the shelf for free.
On top of the shelf hangs a message that says: “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.”
“The unemployment rate is high, the line for relief goods is long, and Pinoys are hungry,” Ana Patricia told GMA News Online in an interview.
“We have been demanding a lot, but supplies are not enough. We really need to help each other. Community effort.”
Ana Patricia's initiative was commended by many. But some also expressed concern and skepticism on people's ability to practice kindness in such a setup.
“Ang daming inquiries and doubts tungkol sa honesty at ugali ng mga tao baka raw pakyawin ng isa o 'di talaga mga mahihirap ang kumuha. Valid naman ang concern. Pero tingin ko po maganda kung mag-integrate tayo sa basic masses para makilala natin sila. Para matanggal natin sa isip natin na ganid sila o mapanglamang,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Eto po ang na-observe ko ngayong umaga: Homeless na kumuha ng 2 orange nag-offer 'yung iba na kumuha pa siya. Sabi niya 'Eto lang naman ang kakainin ko.' 'Yong street sweepers naman kumuha ng 2 repolyo na sapat na daw sa panggisa.”
Those who want to donate to replenish the goods are welcome to do so. Here is Ana Patricia's message for those who want to help:
The community pantry in Maginhawa Street has inspired others to come up with similar initiatives as well.
The Matiyaga Community Pantry located on Matiyaga Street, Barangay Pinyahan in Diliman, Quezon City offers free vegetables to passersby.
There's also one along P. Noval in Sampaloc, Manila, called P. Noval Community Pantry offering rice, vegetables, canned goods, and noodles.
Toots Vergara, who runs the community pantry, posted the same message written by Ana Patricia on Facebook: “Di nito masasagot ang root cause ng kagutuman pero okay na din na pantawid gutom sa mga nangangailangan. Mahirap magtrabaho, mag-aral at lumaban habang kumakalam ang tyan.”
Toots is the owner of Mang Tootz Food House, the shop that sells the famous Banana Rhum-a Turon.
For more inspiring stories like this, head to GMA Lifestyle's page.