The community served by the Parish of the Risen Christ in Smokey Mountain, Tondo is one of the most densely populated areas in Manila. Lining the narrow street are 30 buildings of the government's low-cost housing program, each building with 120 families. These families, along with workers from the nearby North Harbor, were the parish's target beneficiaries for its community pantry on April 30.

Rose Dalagan, a parish volunteer who helped organize the activity, said they had distributed stubs to just 300 families, but almost 500 gathered after hearing food packs were being distributed. "Some came from as far as Navotas, they lived under the bridge there. Fortunately we were able to get many donations, and everyone left with something."

Tanging Yaman Foundation donated 13 boxes (624 cans) of Karne Norte to the community pantry. We salute the team of Fr Noel Gatchalian for continuously serving the hungry.

Thanks to our generous donors, Tanging Yaman Foundation will often have supplies whenever we get appeals for help for fire survivors.

Sr Genny Dumay, RGS, arranged for the pick-up of babies' diapers, sanitary pads, toothbrushes/toothpaste, peanut butter, and macaroni for 51 families who lost their houses to a fire in Brgy 783, San Andres Bukid, Sta Ana, Manila. The Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) members prepared peanut butter sandwiches and served hot macaroni soup with chicken and vegetables. They also organized the first street mass, celebrated by Sagrada Familia Parish Priest Fr Juanito Arroco, Jr.

We are grateful to the BEC members who provide the full range of pastoral care with joyful faith.

Although we tend to think of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as typically male, there is a growing number of women in jails and detention centers. For example, the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong houses 3,325 PDLs. Our partners in diocesan Restorative Justice (RJ) ministries have brought our attention to the needs of women PDLs, particularly for sanitary and hygiene items.

We are glad that several of our partners in the prison ministries brought the kalabasa donated by TYF to women-PDLs. Earlier, we had reported that the Archdiocese of Manila RJ Ministry delivered kalabasa to the women’s forms in Makati and Mandaluyong City Jails. We thank other groups for bringing more kalabasa to the following areas:

- Philippine Jesuit Prison Service: CIW
- Diocese of Antipolo: women’s dorms in Marikina City & Cainta jails
- Diocese of Cubao: women’s dorm in QC Jail
- Diocese of Pasig: women’s dorm in Pasig City Jail