August 31, 2021 — For the past 10 weeks every Thursday, people fell in line along Pedro Gil Street as early as 3 am to be sure to bring home food items and other goods from the community pantry inside the St. Paul University Manila (SPUM) compound. While in the long queues, they were given loaves of bread for breakfast.

The community pantry was organized and conducted by the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod of UP Manila in partnership with its neighbor, SPUM; and started operating last May 4, 2021. 

UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, SPUM President Sr. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC, and UPM Pahinungod Director Dr. Eric Talens were present on the first day of the pantry, when it served around 200 beneficiaries from Barangay 697 Malate, Manila. Barangay Captain Garphil Andrey R. Lee and his councilors saw to the peace, order, and security on each day of the activity. The Pahinungod staff and volunteers, assisted by the SPUM staff, were on the frontlines; handing out the packs of fresh vegetables, groceries, hygiene kits, eggs, and hot meals. Most of the goods were prepared by the volunteers and staff days before to facilitate the distribution on pantry day Thursday.