The community pantry movement in the Philippines is marking one month since the charity initiative spread to thousands of neighborhood drives with a benefit concert to raise funds to buy farmers’ harvests for various pantries in Metro Manila and provide monetary assistance to other drives that cannot be reached by the fresh produce.
The first community pantry set up by Patricia Non on Maginhawa Street on April 14, 2021, in Diliman, Quezon City, has since become a movement of local communities giving away free essential goods to Filipinos experiencing hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine restrictions.
The community pantry has even been replicated overseas in Timor Leste and multiplied to various versions such as a Community “Plantry” in Laguna that teaches people to grow the food they eat and a Community “Pawtry” that gives away pet food.
One month into its existence, the community pantry is still going strong despite setbacks and detractors who threatened to close down the charity initiative that encourages people to take what they need and leave what they can give.
It is this Filipino resilience that will be celebrated in the “Para Sa Masa” benefit concert for Community Pantry Pilipinas, a night of songs and stories that pays tribute to supporters of the movement and encourage others to keep the initiative going.
Community Pantry PH and Patricia Non’s Maginhawa Community Pantry announced the list of artists performing at the concert, including Itchyworms, Datu’s Tribe, Anima Tierra, Laluna, Pinopela, CCP Dance Workshop, Pinkmen, The Revisors, Ebe Dancel, Radha, Johnoy Danao, Zild Benitez, Frenchy Dy, Shamaine Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Dan FAbella, Jan Quintana, Nar Cabico, Bayang Barrios, Poppert Bernadas, Alfonso Manalastas, and Jan Silverio.
Pinoy pop stars are also joining the celebration concert, headlined by Iza Calzado, Dingdong Dantes, Jasmine Curtis, JC Santos, Agot Isidro, Candy Pangilinan, Sunshine Dizon, Carlos Dala, Pinky Amador, Tes Malvar, Soliman Cruz, Inah Evans.
The Concerned Artists of the Philippines, We the Future PH, and Greenpeace are also making an appearance.
Community Pantry Pilipinas benefit concert goes live on the Community Pantry PH Facebook page at 7 pm on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
WATCH AND SUPPORT the Community Pantry Pilipinas movement as it marks one month with a charity concert!
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