Zero-waste & Innovative Community Pantries in 49th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series
June 15, 2021MANILA, 15 June 2021 — Community pantry organizers will gather virtually to exhibit sustainable and green practices in organizing and participating in community-based initiatives on the 49th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Zero-waste and Innovative Community Pantries.”
The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 17 June 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.
Joining the online conversation are community pantry organizers from various areas in the country including Adeline Almelor from Brgy. San Miguel Iriga City, Camarines Sur Zero Waste Community Pantry; Maricon Alvarez from Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) Malabon Community Pantry; Jay-vee Mendoza from Anahaw, San Pedro, Laguna Community Plant-ry; Edren Llanillo, Co-founder of Go Bike Project, Bugallon, Pangasinan; and Evelyn Vergara, Founder of the Community Reading Pantry of Tabotong Elementary School in Saranggani Province.
Filipinos are setting up makeshift community pantries to aid those that suffer economically as a result of the pandemic. The Community Pantries allow people to donate and get food and basic necessities for free, while others distribute vegetable seeds and plants to help people grow their own food. Other pantries also delivered healthcare and educational services.
The upcoming episode will feature individuals who organize and lead community pantries in their respective barangays. They exhibit not only generosity and consideration, but also practice zero-waste operations, hopeful to inspire more Filipinos to reduce the use of plastic packaging.
As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.
This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Mother Earth Foundation, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and The Climate Reality Project-Philippines. ###