The trend of setting up a community pantry has reached the island town of Biri, Northern Samar jointly led by a public school teacher and a local government worker.

The town, known for its picturesque rock formations, is the first area in Eastern Visayas to replicate the community pantry, demonstrating solidarity in this time of the pandemic.

The Biri community pantry was established on Monday by Maryjoy Delos Reyes Sabangan, a public school teacher, and her friend, Maria Van Der Vis, the town’s disaster risk reduction and management officer.

Sabangan, in a phone interview Tuesday, shared they were inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City set up when movement restrictions were imposed in the National Capital Region, affecting many residents especially the poor.

Sabangan used their own money to buy goods for the pantry, augmented by donations from town Councilor Jeda Magallanes and some residents who sent money or drop off basic items such as canned goods, rice, and vegetables.

Among the goods in their pantry are rice, sardines, root crops, noodles, soap, shampoo, vegetables, cooking ingredients like onion and garlic, dried fish, face shields, Milo, milk, and coffee.

On the first day of their operation on Sunday, Sabangan said that there were residents who got more than what they needed for the day.

“But most of the people who went to get goods only took what they needed. They became more concerned about the needs of others,” Sabangan said.

She added that some residents who got vegetables from the pantry also donated grocery items like canned goods and noodles while those who donated processed food got root crops.

“There is a sense of fulfillment when you share your blessings, but it’s a different level of satisfaction when you share something you have with those in need,” Sabangan said.

They hope to inspire other people in the region to also establish a community pantry to help residents badly affected by the coronavirus crisis.

“Our appeal is to always think of other people. For those who get items in the pantry, we urge them to consider others who have not yet got the needed goods. Only get what you need for the day,” Sabangan said.

Residents who wanted to get items from the pantry are asked to wear face masks and face shields.

The fifth class town with about 12,000 population, can be reached through a two-hour boat ride from the Northern Samar mainland. (PNA)