In the spirit of solidarity and together with our parish partners in the Archdiocese of Manila, Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation Inc. (PnPCFI) supported seventeen (17) community pantries in 2021.
According to Rev. Fr. Joselito B. Tuazon of the St. Joseph Parish, “the community pantry came at a time when people were feeling depressed because the pandemic did not seem to be disappearing. The government reports said millions had lost their jobs. With the help of Pondo ng Pinoy, we organized community pantries as an expression of compassion for the poor. The community pantries provided free items such as rice, canned goods, among others. Apart from this, the said project also encouraged community members to give whatever they can afford ”.
On the other hand, Bro. Rostico Morales, Pondo ng Pinoy Parish Coordinator of St. Joseph Parish in Tondo, Manila said that the people should be reminded to get only what they need from the pantry so others in need can be accommodated.
“We distribute basic commodities such as rice, sugar, salt, eggs, vegetables, condiments, canned goods such as corned beef, sardines, and noodles. The parish community pantry already reached more than 3,000 poor and marginalized individuals,” Morales added.
The Biblical narrative of Jesus miraculously feeding the multitude with a boy’s offering of five loaves and two fish has been replicated more than a hundred times in the community pantries. (Gecerein Sayen Ocampo, PnPCFI / Photos: St. Joseph Parish – Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila)
