Community pantry organizer Ana Patricia Non appealed for cash donations ahead of the two-week re-implementation of tough lockdowns in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country.
In a video on August 2, Non, also called Patreng Non, stated that community pantries will continue to operate but the approach will be different.
“Tuloy-tuloy parin po ang community pantries, community gardens at community kitchens. Tuloy-tuloy parin po ang mutual aid natin. DI naman po natatapos ang pagtulong lalo na po kung kalian siya pinakailangan,” she said.
“Pinagkaiba lang po kailangan natin mag isip ng ibang idea kung pano tayo magiging safe. Tumataas nanaman po ang COVID cases at nandyan po ang Delta variant,” she added.
She said she and other organizers are willing to try other methods of distribution, such as in using a mode of transport and identifying poorer communities.
Non also thanked those who continued to support their initiatives.
She then hoped people are still willing to participate in their bayanihan movement.
“Nananawagan po ako sa mga may kakayahan na magbigay, ipush po natin ang pagbibigay sa pinakamalapit na community pantry sa atin o kaya sa kapitbahay natin na nangangailangan,” she said.
People could also send cash donations to Community Pantry PH, the one-stop hub for all community pantries.
She provided details of the donation channels in her post, wherein:
- GOFUNDME: https://gofund.me/9519448e
- GCASH: 09451454390 (Ann Patricia Non)
- BDO: 001430247639 (Ana Patricia B. Non)
The National Capital Region and other regions will be placed under enhanced community quarantine starting on Friday, August 6 until August 20 to suppress the rise of COVID-19 cases and the threat of the Delta variant in the country.
In an update on August 4, Non shared a photo of a virtual meeting she had with nearly 100 organizers wherein they discussed their ECQ preparations.
“Halos lahat kabado dahil baka walang ayuda at di pa namin alam paano ma-sustain ang pantries pero lahat ay may plano para ma-address ang kagutuman at health protocols,” her post read.
These are the solutions they came up with:
- Complete PPE face shield, double mask at physical distancing
- 100% vaccinated volunteers sa pantries
- Drop & Go (contactless distribution)
- House to house distribution
- Community Kitchen, ready to eat meals para sa mga naka quarantine
- Rolling pantry
Coordinate with LGUs
In the same video, Non also reminded the public to comply with the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and coordinate with local government units.
She also urged them to observe the mandated minimum health protocols such as wearing face masks and shields.
“Kailangan parin natin sundin ang guidelines ng IATF at LGUs natin sa pag-ooperate ng ating community pantries,” she said.
Non said she felt it is her responsibility to provide for those in need, particularly during ECQ periods.
“Responsibilidad po natin magkaisa. Personally, hindi ko po kayang tiisin yung mga taong nakilala or mga kwentong narinig ko sa pag papantry. Hindi ko hahayaan na may magutom na pamilya ngayong papasok na ang ECQ,” she said.
In a briefing, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos also made the same call to community pantry organizers—coordinate with LGUs.
“Siguro i-coordinate na lang para maibahay-bahay na lang po ito,” he said.
