With utmost determination, 20-year-old Jed Aquino writes signage that reads, “Mangiter unong ed pakayari, mangala unong ed pangkaukolan” (give according to your ability, take according to your needs).
It’s the first day opening of their community pantry. He, together with his co-members from Mangaldan Youth Organization (MAYA), continued to sort the items they will give later on. Through their efforts, along with other volunteers, they were able to raise Php 10,130.00 to materialize their project.
Because the IATF re-imposed enhanced community quarantine in the NCR bubble, families from these areas struggle again to provide for their basic needs. Sometimes, they spend the day with no food served on their tables.
How the community pantry idea started
The idea to start a community pantry in Mangaldan was first conceived by Michael Ervin Lomibao, SK Federation president. Lomibao said that he was inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Diliman, Quezon City which was initiated by Ana Patricia Non.
He said that though Pangasinan is not under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) like in NCR, “the need to provide is still there”.
“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na hindi tayo under ECQ eh wala nang pangangailangan ang mga tao dito sa bayan natin. Apektado tayo lahat ng pandemic whether ECQ tayo o MGCQ (modified general community quarantine),” Lomibao said.
(“Though we are not under ECQ, it does not mean that the people here in our town do not have their needs. We are all affected by the pandemic whether we are under ECQ or MGCQ.”)
Through the initiative of their youth organization, they were able to raise funds to start their project. Volunteers from the youth sector as well as the organization of mothers in Mangaldan, pedicab drivers, and the church sector came to help.
Last April 23, they kickstarted their community pantry in Brgy. Bari in Mangaldan where over 200 people from different barangays lined up to get their share of goods. They were able to give fresh vegetables, canned goods, and hygiene kits.
‘Compassion on a Cart’
One beneficiary of the community pantry, Elsie Ramos, 62, cried as she picked goods from the pantry. She said that they had no food to eat that day because her husband was jobless for the past two weeks. They survive the day eating kamote tops dipped in bagoong.
“Hulog ng langit itong community pantry. Kung wala ito, baka hindi na kami makakain,” Ramos said as she wiped her tears with her blouse.
(“This community pantry was heaven’s sent to me. Without this, we might not be able to eat today.”)
Because of their team effort, more community pantries in Mangaldan were organized. Restaurants and some homes prepared their own community pantries.
“Nakakatuwa po kasi nagbunga po lahat ng efforts po namin,” Lomibao said.
(“It cheers me up because all of our efforts paid off.”)
The team will continue to set up more community pantries in the different barangays in Mangaldan to reach more people who are in need like Nanay Elsie. As of the moment, they are still collecting donations in cash and in-kind.
Truly, their community effort re-ignited the ‘bayanihan’ spirit of the townspeople of Mangaldan. They really exemplified the meaning of “giving according to their abilities.” Who knows? A single spark can ignite a fire.
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