05/05/2026
COMMUNITY PANTRY''Bottles for Food Packs: Together We Feed, Together We Lead'' 🦁 🌍 💦 🌾 🍆
The Pagsanjan Arkong Bato Lions Club, in collaboration with Rise and Rebuild, proudly launched a sustainable community project on April 29th, 2026, at the Pindot Office in Barangay Pagsawitan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
This initiative aimed to provide much-needed food assistance to our fellow community members while also promoting environmental responsibility through a bottle-for-food exchange scheme. During the event, we distributed food packs containing rice, vegetables, canned goods, noodles, poultry eggs, and various other essential items. In return, recipients—primarily tricycle drivers—were encouraged to bring 30 plastic bottles, which we will recycle and repurpose, helping to reduce plastic waste and support our Mother Earth. We successfully reached out to 155 tricycle drivers, offering them nourishment and a chance to contribute to environmental preservation.
This impactful project would not have been possible without the unwavering support and collaboration of our dedicated partners and sponsors. We are deeply grateful to the Pindot Office, owned by Mr. Dominic L. Bala, who generously provided the venue and donated resources for this project. A special shoutout goes to his staff, headed by Sir Tonichi Espiritu, for their assistance and warm hospitality. Rise and Rebuild, our main partner, played a crucial role by providing vegetables for the food packs, facilitated through the efforts of our passionate marketing chair, Lion Mark Anthony Espiritu.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rotaract Club of Sta. Cruz Pioneer, led by incoming District Rotaract Area Representative RID 3820 (DRAR) Jc Lotilla and incoming President Banjo V. Ventolero. Their team offered invaluable assistance in preparing the food packs, gathering donations, and executing various tasks that ensured the success of the event.
Our gratitude also goes to PCCI Santa Cruz, headed by President Filipinas L. Bonagua, for partnering with us and generously providing donations from their members to support this community pantry. Additionally, we are thankful for the collaboration with Santa Cruz Legacy and Santa Cruz Cabizera Lions Clubs, led by CP Ongie Jimenez and ZC/President Marshall Ian Lo, MJF. Their partnership and generosity—especially through donations and raffle prizes—added a special touch to the event, making it more memorable and impactful for everyone involved.
Special thanks as well to RTN. Erick Mojado of Rapide Santa Cruz Branch for generously providing a large quantity of vegetables, which greatly contributed to the success of the food packs and helped us serve more community members effectively.
To Mayor Dario A. Lapada Jr. of Magdalena, Laguna for the additional fund for this project.
We also sincerely appreciate EHome Radio for their support in videoing the project, helping us document this meaningful community effort. Additionally, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Regional Chair of Laguna, Lion Hilda A. Tapongot, PMJF, for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout this initiative.
While we cannot mention every individual or organization by name, please know that your support—whether financial, in-kind donations, or service—has made a significant difference. Your kindness and dedication truly embody you who contributed to the success of this project. Together, we continue to lead with compassion and commitment, making a positive impact on our community and our environment.
