Maginhawa Community Pantry keeps getting restocked as residents show bayanihan spirit

The bayanihan spirit is alive and well in Maginhawa, Quezon City after one woman put up a small community pantry.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez's report for "24 Oras," the two-layer bamboo shelf containing rice, vegetables, canned goods, milk, and even vitamins keeps getting restocked even as many people arrive to take what they need.

Donations continued to pour in from all walks of life, with some even chipping  in together a small sum so they could buy groceries to fill the pantry.

"Of course I'm happy to help, but it's also a lesson for us. If it were just me, I wouldn't be able to sustain the pantry. It can only be sustained if the community comes together," said Ana Patricia Non, the 26-year-old woman who put up the pantry.

Even without leaving home, some Good Samaritans were able to find a way to extend their help: they booked a courier to buy and deliver goods.

"To the person who booked, continue what you do to help other people. God bless you," said Richard Rivera, a delivery rider who dropped off supplies to the pantry.

Meanwhile, Dondon Fuentes, a construction worker, is grateful for the assistance in these trying times.

"This is already a grocery trip for me. I'll survive, as well as my colleagues. Thank you so much," he said.

Ana Patricia reminded everyone to stay compassionate if some people appear to pick up more than they need.

"If they get a lot of goods, let's think about how many children they have, what kind of job they do, and if they worry about where to get their next meal. Let's open our minds because the situation is very different right now," she said.

But the existence of the pantry alone already brought out the kindness in people's hearts. A man who took some supplies returned the next day,  this time dropping off goods.

"We already got some for ourselves yesterday. Let's give the opportunity to others so they can also benefit," he said.

—MGP, GMA News