Community pantry opens near UST

A community pantry has been established on P. Noval Street in Manila, near the University of Santo Tomas, to provide essential goods to those affected by the pandemic.

The "P. Noval Community Pantry" offers vegetables, rice, canned goods, and instant noodles, with a guiding principle of "Give what you can, take what you need."

Toots Vergara, associated with Mang Tootz Food House, initiated the pantry inspired by a similar initiative on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, which has since been replicated in many areas.

Vergara encouraged donations from the community and advised those in need not to hesitate in taking items from the pantry.

The pantry accepts donations daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ana Patricia Non, who started the food community drive in Maginhawa, expressed happiness that people were "empowered" to set up their own pantries, though saddened by the necessity due to widespread hardship.

In less than a week since Non started the food community drive, other community pantries were established in Matatag Street, Matiyaga Street, Cubao and UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City.