Non is living proof that the future is female.
Ana Patricia “Patreng” Non received the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award from the U.S. Embassy. They gave it to her for starting a community pantry that changed lives amidst the pandemic.
Non made waves in 2021 when she posted on Facebook about a community pantry on Maginhawa Street. Soon after, similar pantries popped up all over the Philippines. The premise of a community pantry is simple: give what you can, take only what you need.
It didn’t take long for queues to form along Maginhawa Street. Some people even came from other cities. They lined up at Non’s pantry as early as 4:00 AM.
READ: Community Pantry Raises Cash From Celebs After Red-Tagging By Gov’t Agency
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict red-tagged Non. Fearing for her life, she shut down the Maginhawa community pantry for a while. Public demand and the intervention of QC major Joy Belmonte prompted Non to return.
Even as things are going back to normal, community pantries are still alive and well. Non has also continued volunteering. She also gives talks on community pantries in the spirit of bayanihan.
Recognizing Patreng Non
The US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava tweeted about Non today.
Empowered and courageous women can change the world for the better. I presented the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award to Ana Patricia Non for her community pantry initiative that inspired Filipinos to combine resources and help ​one another during the COVID-19 ​pandemic. pic.twitter.com/YYaQLVGwIZ
— Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Heather Variava (@USAmbPH) May 18, 2022
Non is living proof that brave, strong women can change the world for the better.
Featured Image Daniella Sison
