Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Young Focus Philippines have an ongoing initiative to feed 1,000 families in the Smokey Mountain area who were affected by the community quarantine in Manila to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Young Focus Philippines social media explained how the lockdown has affected the people in the Smokey Mountain Area since they are dependent on their daily wages.
“That indeed means: no work = no pay…. So, no food on the table…” @youngfocusph wrote in the caption with a photo No work, No pay, No rice posted on March 21, 2020.
The fourth Filipina Miss Universe also posted on Instagram a video on March 24, where she announced that she and Young Focus Philippines are starting out their first initiative to help out the families in the Smokey Mountain area.
“Hey everyone I hope this message reaches you in good health as well as the rest of your family. I know all of us are operating on a very small means at this point of time due to the crisis that’s creeping our nation.
“But I would like to appeal to those of you who may have a little bit of extra to share, at Young Focus we are starting our first initiative to help out the families of the smokey mountain area.
“For a lot of these families they’re depending on their work and with their work being cut-off means no pay which consequently means no food for their families.
“So at young focus we are collecting funds to be able to disperse and to distribute 15kg of rice to each of these families, to help them in these hard times.
“If you would like to donate and help out this cause you could visit www.youngfocus.org/rice. And I hope that you could give whatever you could. Again, I know this is a very hard time, but we’re all in this together. Thank you so much!” Catriona Gray said in the video.
The new NCCA arts ambassador wrote in the caption, “Staying at home looks a lot different for many families across our nation right now. Every day I feel immensely grateful for the privilege that I have to be in a comfortable environment, with food stored in the kitchen and clean drinking water. For many Filipino families though, their reality is contrastingly different. At @youngfocusph we have an ongoing initiative to feed 1000 families in the Smokey Mountain area.”
Catriona and Young Focus Philippines said that one 15kg bag of rice costs only Php550 or $11 US is enough to sustain and feed a whole family and will help them with their daily needs.
Catriona also explained how to donate funds online for those who want to give.
“For those who are looking to give, firstly, thank you so much! If you’re worried about leaving your home for your banking or donating needs, online banking gives you the freedom to give from home, from your family to theirs. 🇵🇭 All instructions are available on the BDO website www.bdo.com.ph 💙”
Young Focus Philippines is a non-government organization that works towards making education accessible to the poorest children in the Philippines. Their main area of operations is in the Smokey Mountain communities of Tondo Manila.
Catriona Gray recently visited La Union to bring her mission with Smile Train to children in need of corrective surgery for their cleft lips and palates, soon after she launched her birthday fund drive in January.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Catriona Gray and Young Focus Philippines for feeding the poor of Smokey Mountain!
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