A community pantry has been set up for delivery riders in a Metro Manila suburb and it serves lugaw with egg, essential food for essential workers.
The "Kuya and Ate Driver" pantry in Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque, is the brainchild of Abu Poblete, located in front of their home. The Facebook post announcing its opening has been shared 19,000 times.
"Na-appreciate po nila kasi a lot of them didn't know na may mga taong puwedeng sumuporta sa kanila. Masaya naman po kami sa appreciation nila, pero mas naa-appreciate po namin sila," Poblete told reportr on Friday.
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With the help of donors, the pantry started offering other snacks, cold drinks and even disinfectant. On Thursday, rice porridge or lugaw with egg, bread, and rice cakes were distributed to riders.
Ramil Galarosa, one of the delivery riders who visited the pantry, took to the comments section to thank Poblete.
Poblete's mother thought of the unique idea for a pantry, inspired by the many riders who service the area. Some of the riders already call them "suki" after delivering multiple parcels.
The family wanted to provide a safe spot for "hero" riders where they could rest. About 400 riders have visited their pantry since its launch. Gas station employees, garbage collectors and checkpoint volunteers also dropped by their open pantry and were also given snacks.
The community pantry will remain open as long as donations continue pouring in.
For those who want to donate, you may reach Abu Poblete here.
