The Domino Effect
This time of pandemic, a lot of people are jobless, with no income, no cash funds, and even no homes. Some may be living as poor as the church mouse. A lot of people sacrifice, starve and look where they can find food they can eat for a day; other people eat once a day. Some people sacrifice by selling in the streets, or going to work despite the Covid scare, hustling in the busy street with crowded people because they don’t even have a private vehicle. Waiting for the cash aid from the government and not everyone is qualified, even if you are part of the poorest of the poor. This is today’s sad reality.
The Philippines has the unfortunate reputation of imposing the world’s longest lock-down. It has inevitably hurt the economy and the most vulnerable. Even though the government isn’t moving, some might be sleeping. The filipino spirit is on fire and indestructible. They keep the bayanihan spirit alive through a “Community Pantry”
Community Pantry is a humble project started in Maginhawa Street of Quezon City. Allowing people to donate and get food for free. A small food booth with slogan
“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan”
(Give what you can, take what you need).
The community pantry was put up as a collective action to alleviate hunger. This project trended online because a lot of people praise and relate to the ideals. It trended may due to the scarcity of food and nutrition amid this pandemic.
After it trended because a lot of people were inspired. It was followed by different communities and places. This is a domino effect. Let’s keep the snowball rolling.
Everyone is pooling their efforts together in a stunning display of mutual aid. There is also a taho vendor who put all his goods for free for the people, his purpose is to fulfill its tummies for breakfast.
The idea behind the community pantry was that people could take as much as they need and donate whatever they can. An act of help into a social solidarity that spans a nation. the community pantry movement represents Filipino resiliency, but rather evidence of response and unity born out of necessity.
“In the absence of good governance, tanging tayong mga ordinaryong Pilipino talaga ang magtutulungan.”
You, yourself can be the first one to come up with a community pantry in your area. By simply, following these steps. You can be the head start of the unstoppable spirit of Filipinos amidst this pandemic. We should keep this going, this idea helps a lot of people. By this we can help in our very own small ways.
