NOT a usual community pantry.
In a bid to bring the help closer to residents, the Valladolid Municipal Police Station opened its mobile community pantry in the southern Negros Occidental town Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Unlike other police station-initiated community pantries in the province, that of Valladolid Municipal Police Station utilizes its patrol car to carry goods going to different barangays in the locality.
As the vehicle stops, residents are given the chance to get what they need from the mobile community pantry.
They can have eggs, vegetables, fruits and other basic goods which were donated by the police personnel of the station and some stakeholders.
Like other community pantries in the country, it also promotes the concept of “Kuha sang imo lang kinahanglan. Hatag suno sa imo masarangan [Get what you only need. Give what you can].”
Major Police Major Wilfredo Benoman Jr., chief of Valladolid Police Station, said their version of community pantry aims to reach more people especially those in need of food.
Benoman said they recognized that some residents are living far from the police station, “so we will be the ones to go to them.”
“Aside from bringing even a little help to more people, the mobile community pantry could also prevent possible crowding in our station that should be avoided amid the ongoing Covid-19 threat,” he added.
The chief of police is upbeat that, through their mobile community pantry, the town residents will further feel that the police care for them alongside maintaining peace and order in the community.
Benoman said the Valladolid Municipal Police Station will continue to uphold the “bayanihan” spirit through the help of the local government and stakeholders, especially in helping the community in the fight against the pandemic.
“Let us always remember a cheerful giver lives longer,” the police official said, as he asked for the support of the stakeholders so they can sustain their community pantry, reach more areas and help more residents.