A group of youth leaders opened the first community pantry in Iloilo City on Monday, April 19.

To help people in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials of Barangay Mansaya in Lapuz district decided to set up “Buligay Community Pantry.”

SK Chairperson Mars Jeremy Jayme said they were inspired by the community pantry in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City.

The initiative, which was started by furniture business owner Ana Patricia Non, became viral on social media and garnered significant media coverage.

According to Jayme, their pantry initially contained donated canned goods, packs of rice, coffee, milk, noodles, and eggs, among others.

Another community pantry was also installed in Barangay Pandac, Pavia town in Iloilo province.

“Thank you sa tanan nga nagshare sang ila blessing, may it be big or small, ang point is nakabulig kita sa aton utod nga nagakinahanglan. This is just the start,” Cristy Shane Almarza said in a Facebook post.

The community pantry is a concept that allows members of the community to give food and other essential items to struggling individuals.IMT