Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and One Meralco Foundation donated P1M each to Tanging Yaman Foundation Inc. (TYF) in support of their Gulayan Para Sa Community Pantries program in a turnover ceremony last July 5, 2021.
Spearheaded by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the Tulong Kapatid foundations contributed P3M total to TYF, a conduit foundation that continues to bridge donors and beneficiaries during the pandemic. The group’s donation will be utilized to provide fresh vegetables and rice to various parishes, organizations, and community pantry organizers in Metro Manila.
Since 2020, TYF has helped various farming communities in Central and Northern Luzon by sourcing vegetables and rice from them, augmenting the income they lost due to the lockdown. The produce is donated to urban poor parishes and communities in NCR and nearby provinces.
In the second wave of 2021, TYF temporarily stopped its distribution of food packs and transitioned to supporting Community Pantries by providing them with fresh produce sourced through their donors, benefactors and partners. TYF has already served around 670 community pantries, distributing more than 130 tons of vegetables and 31 tons of rice, supporting around 1,500 farmers in the process.
“As our Chairman has always said, if we are able to help one individual, then we have done our jobs,” says MPIF President Melody del Rosario. “This contribution helps beyond a singular beneficiary. It helps communities thrive and helps small businesses bounce back from the adversity they faced over the past year. We at MPIF and the whole MVP group are truly blessed to be able to afford them that.”
“We in PSF support this initiative of TYF to sustain the community pantries and feeding programs of the various parishes in need,” says PSF President Esther Santos. “As the pandemic continues and lives and livelihoods are at risk, sharing our resources and bayanihan should also be part of the new normal.”
OMF President Jeff Tarayao adds, “As we continue to rebuild lives and livelihoods, OMF partners with organizations like TYF to reach the neediest among our communities. We hope that beyond providing for physical sustenance, this coming together for our underprivileged families is an assurance that nobody will be left behind in the country’s recovery.”
Aside from the Foundation presidents and Smart Communications, Inc. Group Head and FVP for Enterprise Risk Management Debbie Tan, beneficiaries were present during the event such as the Priests and Lay Collaborators from the Diocese of Pasig, Diocese of Cubao, Diocese of Novaliches, Diocese of Antipolo, Diocese of Kalookan, Kalinga Center, Tulay ng Kabataan, Payatas Orione Foundation, and Phil. Jesuit Prison Service; and Pantry Organizers from Sampaloc, Manila, Sto. NIño, QC, Sta. Mesa, Manila, and Tangos South, Navotas.
“Maraming salamat po sa Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, sa One Meralco Foundation, at sa PLDT-Smart Foundation sa tulong niyo sa Tanging Yaman Foundation, which has allowed us now to help so many other urban poor communities all over Metro Manila,” says TYF Chairman Fr. Manoling Francisco, S.J., “We have distributed eight tons of vegetables this morning to the poorest communities of the five dioceses in Metro Manila. But apart from feeding the hungry in the metropolis, we have also augmented the income of the farmers, the producers of our vegetables from Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Tulong Kapatid Foundations have mobilized various efforts to provide aid and assistance to different sectors, primarily focused on the most vulnerable. Aside from this donation, the Foundations are actively distributing livelihood tools to beneficiaries across the country through the Bike for Livelihood program and the celebration of First Pacific Co. Ltd.’s 40th Anniversary.