Inspired by “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan; Kumuha batay sa pangangailangan” (Give according to one’s ability; get according to one’s need), the university launched the PSU-Bayambang Community Pantry last April 26-30, 2021.
The Extension Services Unit solicited donations in-cash and in-kind through the campus faculty members, different department’s organizations, students and private individuals, in order to help the Bayambang community who were badly affected by the pandemic.
The in-kind donations collected were rice, vegetables, eggs, fruits, soap, milk and biscuits, and other basic necessities and the collected cash donations as of May 8, 2021 amounted to P50,382.00.
On April 23, 2021, a permit to operate the community pantry was issued by Mr. Manny S. Lopez, barangay captain of Zone VI, Bayambang, Pangasinan.
To ensure the orderliness of the pantry and the observance of strict health protocols, barangay tanod and other enforcement officers were deployed to the campus.
The said activity operated from April 26, 2021 to April 30, 2021, May 3, 2021, May 6, 2021 and May 31, 2021 in front of the PSU-BC main gate and was monitored and assisted by different department’s faculty members.
With the support of campus extentionists, 110 persons were served on the first day of operation. The teaching and non-teaching workers served 157 people on the second day. The Department of Business Administration served and assisted 217 people on day three. On the fourth day, the Social Sciences Department served and assisted 329 people. The Languages Department and the ABEL Department assisted and catered 402 persons on the fifth day. In addition, the campus served 70 people on the sixth day (limited slots) with the help of teaching and non-teaching staff. The following day, the campus served 100 persons (limited slots) with the help of the IT department, the Socsci department, and non-teaching staff. On the eighth day, 86 persons (limited slots) were catered with assistance from BPED, the Business Administration Department, the Institute of Nursing, and non-teaching professionals.
The community pantry’s continued functioning was entirely reliant on donations from kind donors.
The said community pantry served as a way for PSUnians to reach out to those who are in need and to show the “Bayanihan spirit” that Filipinos have been manifesting during the pandemic.
