They're an ARMY of purple, not red. Fans of BTS have rejected social media tags linking their community pantry to the communist rebellion, as they promised to continue giving out free food and essentials to those in need during the pandemic.
Red-taggers might even receive BTS merchandise when they visit an ARMY Fanbase in Cavite. Many K-pop stans or fans have set up community pantries and are giving away photos of their idols alongside eggs, sardines and instant noodles.
"Marami po kaming messages na nakikita na nangre-red tag sa amin. Lawakan po ating pag-iisip dahil ang mga ganitong komento ay walang nagagawa kundi pananakit,” ARMY Cavite Fanbase said on Facebook.
Ana Patricia Non, who started the community pantry movement a small bamboo cart, paused operations in Maginhawa, Quezon City for a day after she was accused of using the pantry as cover for spreading leftist propaganda. She denied the charge.
COMMUNITY PANTRIES EXPLAINED:
How to Set Up a Community Pantry and Make Kindness Go Viral
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For 21-year-old Bie Rosales, whose OFW mother suggested distributing free food to hungry neighbors, launching a community pantry in the name of BTS meant spreading love in times of need. ARMY sponsors pitched in, she said.
“More than anyone else, ARMY Cavite Fanbase is just the instrument. The real heroes here are the members of the ARMY fandom who are always willing to donate and help which is also influenced by BTS, knowing that they also helped a lot of people through charities which then greatly inspired our team and fandom,” Rosales told reportr.
The ARMY Cavite Fanbase is helping set up more community pantries, including one in Las Pinas, and even in Quezon City. The group hopes more open pantries would be open to serve those in need.
ARMY Fanbase Cavite was also behind the “Hold Me Tight: Kapit Pilipinas” donation drive for the survivors of Typhoon Ulysses in Cagayan and Rizal, where it raised over P445,000. The group has receipts.
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
What to Do If Police Visit Your Community Pantry
How Much Can You Get From a Community Pantry?
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