By Helen Castaño | 07:43 PM April 22, 2021
The Diocese of Tagbilaran has set up its own community pantry at the St. Joseph The Worker Cathedral where people can donate basic goods to help others in need.
The movement, which first popped up in Quezon City, became a hit with other areas in Metro Manila and other regions rolling out the same initiative.
The Church’s community pantry, which is in partnership with some Bohol young entrepreneurs, is providing free rice, eggs, instant noodles, vegetables and fruits.
Beneficiaries are also given free porridge and pancakes from Gugma Tagbilaran Mobile Kitchen, a project of Tagbilaran First Lady Jane Yap.
The public could also donate goods or cash.
Today (April 22) was the first day of its operations which was attended by almost 2,000 people who endured the long queue.
However, they were met with challenges especially in asking the crowd to observe social distancing.
Bishop Abet Uy said they were able to make adjustments with the help of the volunteers.
“The impact in the community is wider. The rich people are given the opportunity to help and share the blessings they have. This is also an eye- opener that we need to help each other in order to survive the pandemic. We’re all helping each other,” Bishop Uy said.
Community pantries have sprouted in Metro Manila and even in some provinces after the Maginhawa Community Pantry initiative in Quezon City went viral online.
With a makeshift cart and cardboard signs, the idea is to invite people to share according to their ability and take some feed based on their need.
Community pantries, just like those in Luzon, continue to pop up in Tagbilaran City amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the first to set-up include food establishments and other small businesses in the city.
Tuslob Buwa De Bohol, located along M. Parras, filled their community pantry with bags of rice, vegetables, canned goods. There were also clothes made available to those who wish to get them.
Another community pantry opened at Sticker Republic, located near the Land Transportation Office (LTO) main office just in front of the motorpool.
They named it the MaajoHong Community Pantry.
They set up a few tables with free root crops and other vegetables from farmers.
Other community pantries are in Alona in Panglao, Lawis in Barangay Booy in Tagbilaran and San Jose in Talibon.
The organizers say they were inspired by the community pantries in Maginhawa, Quezon City and in P. Noval Street in Manila.
“Paghatag sumala sa Makaya, Pagkuha Base sa Kinahanglan” read the messages printed on the signages in the area.
