Catriona Gray helps raise funds for families in Smokey Mountain

Catriona Gray is trying to help raise funds for struggling families in Tondo, Manila, in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the country.

In a video she posted on IG, the 2018 Miss Universe announced that the charitable organization Young Focus Philippines plans to provide food for families in the Smokey Mountain area whose income had been adversely affected by the pandemic. 

“For a lot of these families, they're heavily dependent on their work. And with their work being cut off, it means no pay, which consequently means no food for their families,” Catriona said.

“So at Young Focus, we are collecting funds to be able to disperse and distribute 15 kilograms of rice to each of these families to help them through these hard times,” she added.

One 15 kg bag of rice, Catriona explained, can be enough to feed an entire family.

The beauty queen also explained in her caption how funds can be donated through online banking.

“I know a lot of us are operating on a very small means in this point in time due to the crisis that's gripping our nation but I would like to appeal to those of you who may have a little bit of extra to share,” Catriona said.

Many informal sector workers temporarily lost their livelihood due to the month-long enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

The lockdown is part of the government’s attempts to arrest the spread of COVID-19, which has infected at least 552 people in the Philippines as of Tuesday.? — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News