Regina Troy Barrios

Article (news)

Community Kitchens

<div><strong>They’re running out of food. </strong></div><p>Across Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, community kitchens are struggling to keep cooking for families displaced by floods. Evacuation centers are full, and water has not receded in many areas. Hot meals remain a lifeline. But supplies and funding are low—and many groups say their efforts could slow down or stop entirely without urgent support.</p><p>Over the weekend,<strong> Maginhawa Community Pantry founder Ana Patricia Non sounded the alarm</strong>, saying that while volunteers were ready to cook and distribute food, the biggest hurdle now is funds for ingredients. Many of the organizers are flood victims themselves.</p><blockquote><p>“Kung kaya lang po, manghihingi po sana ng maski magkanong tulong,” she wrote.</p><p>(“If possible, we’re asking for any help you can give.”)<strong></strong></p></blockquote><p>Translation: Thanks to donations last night, they were able to run kitchens for evacuees and stranded areas. Even if it’s sunny today in QC, operations must continue—many places are still submerged or struggling to recover. There are enough volunteers to cook and distribute; the real challenge is funding for ingredients. Many organizers are flood victims themselves.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753245006009Workbench Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">A volunteer serves hot food to families in flood-hit communities | Photo: Angat Buhay</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>The Call for Help</strong></h2><p>Community kitchens—many organized through social media and word of mouth—are serving thousands. Among the volunteers are chefs <strong>Waya Araos-Wijangco</strong> and <strong>Myke “Tatung” Sarthou</strong>, who’ve rolled up their sleeves and joined local efforts.</p><p>The kitchens need rice, vegetables, protein, clean water, and cooking gas. Donations of ingredients or funding (to help source and cook the meals) are most welcome.</p><p><strong>ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya program</strong> is also actively providing food and supplies, while GMA Kapuso Foundation has sourced rice directly from a farmer&#x27;s cooperative in Nueva Ecija—helping both the flood victims and the agricultural communities.</p><p>Non regularly shares updates on her Facebook page—everything from bulk market lists to donation QR codes and a running directory of 60+ active kitchens and pantries.</p><p>Chef Waya, who’s spent years supporting community kitchens and livelihood programs, offers this advice:</p><div><br/></div><h2><strong>How to Be a Good Donor</strong></h2><ol><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><strong>Give to efforts near you. Let your neighbors feel your love.</strong></li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><strong></strong>Donate what you can afford. Every drop counts. <strong>Bawat ambag mahalaga</strong>.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Support small businesses. When donating meals, consider commissioning your neighborhood carinderia instead of ordering from big fast food chains.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Source directly from farmers. As mentioned, GMA Kapuso Foundation buys rice from a Nueva Ecija coop—your money does more good that way.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Give items you’d use yourself. Don’t donate expired, inedible, or unwearable things. Give with dignity.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Reduce plastic waste. Avoid excessive packaging in your relief goods.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Don’t forget this moment. Use what you’ve learned now to vote more wisely in the future.</li></ol><div><br/></div><h2><strong>How to Be a Good Volunteer</strong></h2><ol><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Follow instructions. Relief ops are often fast-moving. Listen and act quickly.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Don’t assume or improvise. Be helpful, not a hero.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Respect the dignity of victims. No need to document or post selfies.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Stay humble. This is about the survivors, not us.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Stay safe and hydrated. You can&#x27;t help others if you collapse.</li><li style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Remember. Reflect. Vote wisely. Yes, it bears repeating.</li></ol><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The urgency is real. In Marikina alone, over 4,700 families were evacuated after the Marikina River reached second-alarm levels on July 21. Across Metro Manila, more than 23,000 people were displaced overnight due to swollen rivers and persistent monsoon rains. </strong></div><p>If you’re wondering how to help, the good news is: you can. You don’t have to cook in the flood or lead a relief drive. But your donation—no matter how small—can keep someone’s stove burning, someone’s rice pot full.</p><p>When done collectively, small acts of care become something powerful. They don’t just fill a bowl—they fuel hope. And right now, that’s something we all need a little more of.<br/><br/><em>If you want to help feed those affected by the floods, reach out to </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TriningsPH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Trining’s Kitchen</em></strong></a><em> on Facebook, </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/abscbnfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>ABS-CBN Foundation</em></strong></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/communitypantryphorg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Community Pantry PH</em></strong></a><em>, or </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/angatbuhaypilipinas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Angat Buhay</strong></em></a><em><strong></strong>—every donation, ingredient, or shared meal makes a difference.</em></p>

<p>Community kitchens mobilized by volunteers and organizers like Chef Tatung and Community Pantry's Ana Patricia Non are racing to feed flood victims in Metro Manila—but with dwindling funds and rising need, they urgently need support to keep going.</p>

Community kitchens mobilized by volunteers and organizers like Chef Tatung and Community Pantry's Ana Patricia Non are racing to feed flood victims in Metro Manila—but with dwindling funds and rising need, they urgently need support to keep going.

Hot Meals Are Saving Flood Victims—But These Kitchens Are Running Out Food Fast

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Hot Meals Are Saving Flood Victims—But These Kitchens Are Running Out Food Fast

Troy Barrios

Published Jul 23, 2025 12:33 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 24, 2025 12:35 PM PHT

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angat buhay

abs-cbn sagip kapamilya

typhoon relief 2025

community kitchens manila

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disaster response philippines

how to help flood victims

ngo relief operations philippines

hot meals for evacueers

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