Republic of the Philippines

EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Graduate School
Tacloban City

A SYNTHESIS PAPER
ON COMMUNITY PANTRY

SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES: THE

BAYANIHAN SPIRIT

___________________________________________________________________________

NAME OF STUDENT: ALJUN A. DESOYO

STUDENT NO. : 2019- 65968
PROGRAM : Doctor of Philosophy
MAJOR : Educational Programs Management

COURSE CODE : GSEDUC 603

PROFESSOR : Rosemarie C. Abocot, Ph.D.
COURSE TITLE : Sem. in Socio- Anthropological Foundations in Educ.

ACADEMIC TERM : 2ND Semester

___________________________________________________________________________
 Socio-Cultural Perspectives: Community Pantry

Community pantry is a concept wherein those who have extra contribute to buy
food and other essentials and openly share the goods to those who are in need of things
that are basic in the kitchen.
The advantage of this movement is that the impoverished members of the community
who need some ingredients in their cooking can get what they need and those who can afford
to share it so that many people can avail of it. There are a few very large food collection
corporations located throughout the country that both collect and distribute this food to
mainly non- profit organizations that make it available to the public. Food pantries are
normally staffed by volunteers. Depending upon their capabilities some may only be open for
a couple of hours per week, while others may be open for five or six days each week. Some
pantries give away clothing, shelter, utilities and anything that they may have been donated.
Even when operated by a religious organization, they provide their services to all. Hundreds
and thousands of people within any community may be dependent upon the availability of a
food pantry. Additionally, the pro is that community pantries provide food for the neediest of
the needy in the middle of the raging pandemic—however, knowing Filipinos, most abuse it
by getting MORE than they need or still get even though they are financially well off.
The cons are that it reveals to us in clear view the structural issues that led to the
necessity of these community pantries at the outset. Above all, it is a sign that our
government failed the poor because of its refusal to implement economic reform and other
LONG-TERM poverty alleviation measures. It has also brought out the worst in most
Filipinos.