EXO fans set up community pantry in Malabon City

Fans of EXO have set up a community pantry in Malabon City to give aid to residents in need amid the pandemic.

According to Kristine Santos, the fan who first led the initiative, they started the pantry to help fellow Filipinos while also promoting their favorite K-Pop group.

“Since we love EXO dearly, this is our way to share that love while helping people in a small way,” she told GMA News Online.

Photos of the pantry in Barangay Maysilo showed the goods displayed alongside posters and mini standees of EXO members.

Kristine encouraged other K-Pop fans to share their blessings. “Help in all possible ways (because) it may mean a lot to others,” she said.

According to Kristine, they have been receiving donations for the pantry from other EXO fans or EXO-L, with some giving up to PHP2,000.

She said the Malabon community pantry, which had been opening at 10 a.m. since Monday, would resume its operations at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

For interested parties, cash donations are accepted through Kristine’s GCash (09236188467), BDO (003960216534), or BPI (4859118653) accounts.

They also accept in-kind donations, which may be dropped off in front of Maysilo Health Center.

As similar efforts happen in more locations all over the country, K-Pop fans are also proving themselves loyal not only to their idols but also to their fellow Filipinos in these trying times.

In Cavite, BTS ARMYs set up two community pantries as inspired by their favorite band.

These initiatives are just some of the many community pantries nationwide spawned by the first one in Maginhawa, Quezon City.

On Monday, a community “paw-ntry” for pets was also set up in Quezon City. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News