INSPIRED by Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, several communities in Caloocan City replicated the local food pantry to help those in need.
Residents with enough resources in Morning Breeze Subdivision, Saranay Road in Bagumbong and Barangay 175 Camarin in North Caloocan built their own community pantry while Diocese of Caloocan also participated in establishing a community pantry in front of San Roque Church located along A. Mabini Street.
Just like in Maginhawa, all community pantries in Caloocan city go by the principle of “Give whatever you can, take only what you need.”.
“Nakakatuwa na kasama natin ang ating mga kababayan sa layunin na pagaanin ang buhay ng isa’t isa sa pamamagitan ng mga community pantry. Tulad ng lagi po naming sinasabi, hindi po ito kakayaning mag-isa ng gobyerno. Kailangan po natin ang isa’t-isa. Kailangan po natin ang makabagong bayanihan sa gitna ng pandemya,” Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan said.
Meanwhile, in Valenzuela city, community pantries were also established in some areas such as barangays Tagalag, Lingunan, Dalandanan ang Malanday where basic goods can also be donated to help fellow residents in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Oca said these only shows the solidarity of the residents in the midst of the crisis now facing the entire country, as well as the self -discipline in getting enough they need to benefit others as well.
”Isa rin itong halimbawa ng pakikibaka at pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng mga mamamayan at paghahanap ng solusyon upang maibsan ang hirap sa pamamagitan ng kolektibong aksyon at pagtitiwala sa kapwa,” Mayor Oca added.
