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Group hands out 370 bags of food
In the last three Fridays, a newly-formed group has handed out over 370 bags of food to families in need during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
“The Giving Table,” a network of friends who donate canned goods and nonperishable food items to anyone who needs them, has handed out whatever they collect in different places during austerity Fridays. There is no need to sign up for anything. Residents may be able to pull up and take what they need.
According to Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), last Friday morning’s distribution got a tremendous boost, thanks to several donors. “We had a huge boost thanks to some kind friends. Paul Plunkett, Jon Kramer, Eugene Chung, and Yooyoung Chung brought boxes of canned goods and bagged them that morning and helped pass them all out as well,” he said.
“There are a lot of people in the community who lost their jobs and also do not qualify for federal assistance under the Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC (a federally-funded supplementary nutrition program),” said Propst.
Over 150 bags of food and other items were given out last Friday. In fact, Propst said, it was their biggest day for donations.
“All donations have come from social networks of friends and family members. It has grown through word-of-mouth,” Propst said. “…I am motivated by the good we see in our community on a daily basis. Every good deed helps, and those who need the help the most can be helped if we all do a little.”
He hopes to for a non-profit or group to eventually lead this effort—“or something similar for every village while we see hundreds of families struggling due to this pandemic.”
The Giving Table will be handing out donations this Friday at the Dandan bus stop in front of Dandan Middle School starting at 8:30am while goods last. (Chevy Alipio)
