Community Pantry. The recent trend of the pandemic. Brought into the attention of the masses through Patricia Non’s initiative, it has, ever since its foundation, have helped several members of her community by aiding in providing those with insufficient resources with their necessities. It started off with fruits, vegetables, and other types of foods until it expanded to other essential goods such as toiletries. With their motto, “Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangagailangan,” encourages everyone who have the means to donate with what they can and for those in need to practice honesty and consideration for their fellow community members who are also in need. According to reports, the amount of community pantries have multiplied to over a hundred.
If there’s a community pantry for humans, what about for our furry friends? Well, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society has got their backs! Setting up a Community PAW-ntry, they have extended the help of well-meaning individuals to our furry friends in need supplies and food that provide nutrition for the cat and dog pets. They had their pantry set up in their Aurora Boulevard HQ, with pet owners getting cat and dog food for their pets. A post on their Instagram account on April 19 encouraged other individuals too to participate in this initiative. When dropping off donations at PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center located in Aurora Boulevard, Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, a “friendly gateboy” will apparently help you in arranging your donations and the center is offering free spay and neuter services for those 4P cardholders who have pets. They are open from 8AM to 5PM, every day, except Sundays and holidays.
In another part of NCR, there was a kind heart, a certain ci tizen in the name of Avien Rosete, who set-up a feeding program and community paw-ntry for the stray cats and dogs along with pets in their community in 107 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati. An animal lover and an animal rights advocate, she recognizes the existence of our stray furry friends and their presence in the community too as they are also members of our society. Coincidentally, she didn’t know the same initiative PAWS did the day before. The initial pet-food donation was provided by Helping Paws PH.
Another organization joined in this initiative. The Animal Kingdom Foundation now have their own pet ayuda stations through their BARKyanihan Project which are set up in the cities of Pasay, Valenzuela, and Mandaluyong, Sta. Rosa and Biñan, Laguna, and Tarlac City.
With several community pantries being set-up all around the country, the pandemic is proven to be an obstacle that everyone can surpass if all of us are united together. Hand-in-hand in helping not only our fellow citizens, but also the stray animals that we almost encounter in every day of our lives. This community pantry is a symbol, a modern-day example of the Filipino value we think is dead already, but is very much still alive— the bayanihan spirit.
Written by: Jennica Reyes
Images Courtesy of: PAWS and Avien Rosete
Sources:
De La Cruz, Christa I. “This Community Pantry in QC Gives Away Free Food for Cats and
Dogs.” SPOT.PH, 19 Apr. 2021, www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-
features/85909/paws-philippines-sets-up-community-pantry-for-pets-a833-20210419.
Pabalate, Noel. “Check out This Community Pantry for Cats and Dogs Now.” Manila Bulletin,
dogs-now/.
Pobre, Addie. “Animal Lover Sets Up Community Pawntry In Makati For Stray Pets.”
TheSmartLocal Philippines - Travel, Lifestyle, Culture & Language Guide, 21 Apr. 2021,
thesmartlocal.com/philippines/community-pantry-pets-makati/.
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