BY BENJAMIN MOSES M. EBREO
BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (April 24)—The established community pantry of the Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity and Sorority Theta Epsilon Chapter (Apotec) here not only helps residents but also supports the agricultural products of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT).
These fruits and veggies bought from NVAT including grocery items were offered for free for poor villagers here as part of the community service program of the said fraternity.
The Community Pantry located near the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) along the Heroes Boulevard is being patronized by villagers especially in Barangay Buag, one of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) – declared poblacion barangays in this town.
Apotec members manage the community pantry and assist patrons based on their needs.
“We strictly monitor our patrons and see to it that only their needs are properly and sufficiently given so that others can partake too when their time to get some comes,” Apotec member Mayvilyn Pascua said.
Various food items such as canned goods, eggs, fruits and vegetables are brought in by Apotec members daily, tapping donations from fellow members here and abroad including benevolent individuals and establishments.
The Apotec community pantry was started since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in houses of several members with stranded college students as the primary beneficiaries.
“We are doing this because there are donors who do not stop in helping our less fortunate villagers. Let us take what is enough for us, so that others can have some too for their families,” Reynald Tan, President of the Apotec Alumni Association.
Other civic-oriented organizations, government agencies, the religious sector and business establishments have also launched their brand of community pantry and assistance to the poor especially during this time of the pandemic.