SVPP Establishes Community Pantry For The Poor

By Jordan Amor

San Vicente de Paul Parish (SVPP) showed compassion for the poor by organizing its community pantry located at San Marcelino in Ermita, Manila beside Adamson University (AdU) on April 20, 2021 to help Filipino families who are in financial crisis.

Photo Source: Adamson Univesity's Facebook Page

The said community pantry was inspired by the viral Maginhawa Community Pantry organized by Ana Patricia Non who had a mission to help Filipinos who are in need in this time of the pandemic.

In a Facebook post of SVPP official page, the community pantry had a tagline of “Bayanihan para sa bayan, magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa kailangan” and it was organized by the Parish Priest, Fr. Joel Rescober, CM with the cooperation of Basic Ecclesial Community and barangay officials.

“Hindi mali at masama ang tumulad lalo na kung ang ating gagayahin ay mabuti at maganda,” Fr. Joel said in a Facebook post.

In an FB live of Adamson University (AdU) on May 3, 2021 called Vinspirasyon, Fr Joel Rescober and Basic Ecclesial Community head coordinator Ruth Seba, expressed their experiences and feelings about handling the San Vicente de Paul community pantry.

“Sa totoo lang po, ang BEC hindi takot, kung meron man pong takot ay yun po yung mga senior citizen na member po natin pero naiintindihan ko naman po. Pero yung iba po talaga hindi po sila nag dalawang isip na tumulong,” Ruth Seba said about BEC members who are helping in the SVPP community pantry.

“Wala ako nakita or narinig na pag-aatubili or parang pag-aalinlangan na sumali or magbigay. Ang katotohanan niyan ay sila pa mismo ang unang nagbibigay,” Fr Joel added.

Seba has also added in the interview that they are giving not just only food but also miracle medals, face shields, and face maskswhen they see people who are not wearing it.

Fr Joel, said the true mission of their community pantry is to help not just only the members of the Parish but the people who are truly in need.

Ruth Seba added that San Vicente de Paul Parish Community pantry was open for all Filipinos who are in need, every day except Sunday starting at 8:00 in the morning until the supply lasts.