It’s been two years since the pandemic changed the world. While some have been able to cope and adapt to the current landscape brought by COVID-19, many have lost sources of income, leading to thousands of families facing food insecurity.

Since March 2020, Jollibee Group through its FoodAID program has sought to respond to this need by providing food packs to families in need. This nationwide mobilization would not have been possible without the help and selflessness of the many organizations and volunteers that partnered with Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF). 

One of these many extraordinary volunteers is Erlinda Cabagay, Internal Assistant Coordinator at St. John the Baptist Parish Dambanang Kawayan in Taguig City.

Currently 64 years old, Erlinda considers herself one of the lucky ones who wasn’t heavily affected by the pandemic despite being a senior citizen. One of her main motivations to serve others comes from her belief of the “love of God, and the power of God.” “I’m not scared of volunteering because I believe I was blessed and protected by God,” she shared. 

Being a religious woman, Erlinda felt she needed to share her blessings with others which led her to becoming a parish volunteer. By doing so, she has helped many families in need by going to areas heavily affected by the lockdowns and delivering ready-to-cook food packs. One of her main objectives during deliveries is to make sure that every family is treated fairly and equally, and that COVID-19 safety health protocols are followed. 

“I give them a ticket na mayroon number at may time kung kailan sila pwedeng pumunta para ‘di sila magkasabay-sabay, at maibigay sa kanila na maayos (that has a number and designated time when they can come and not overcrowd the venue so we can distribute safely),” she explained. 

As a testament to her faith and willingness to help others, she recalled the time when she was the only volunteer who went to an area with recorded cases of COVID-19 in order to deliver food packs. 

“Kailangan kong madeliver kasi mabubulok ‘yung Jollibee [frozen] chicken. Kawawa din naman ‘yung mga tao (I needed to make the delivery or the Jollibee frozen chicken would get spoiled. I felt sorry for the people who wouldn’t receive them as well),” she recalled.

With that faith and bravery, Erlinda was rewarded with the grateful words of the community members who received the food packs that day. Erlinda was also delighted to hear that the people she helped enjoyed the food packs, using them to cook signature Filipino comfort dishes.

One of the beneficiaries is 44-year-old Marites Baylon.

Marites and her husband engage in kalakal—collecting, purchasing, and selling trade goods like cartons, paper, metal, and plastic out of their small junk shop in Taguig. She has four children, with the younger two still in school.

A large part of their work is visiting other junk shops to collect and deliver materials. When lockdown happened, Marites and her husband found that they could no longer go to some of the junk shops they visited. From being able to go out to trade every day, they were limited to only about three times a week.

Although they were able to receive monetary aid from the municipal government, Marites noted that these were not enough to carry them through. It was fortunate that their eldest son was able to save up some money so that the family could live on the savings on top of the limited amount they were able to make.

When asked how the family reacted to the food aid, Marites said, “Masaya kasi may pandagdag na po sa pagkain (We were happy because it added to our food).”

Marites’ family received chicken and meat balls. She recalls frying the meat balls with green beans, making a delicious and nutritious meal for her family.

She laughs, adding, “Mag-hapon na namin inulam yun (That’s what we ate the whole day).”

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga donor. Sana po dumami pa po yung mga tumutulong (I want to say thank you to the donors. Hopefully more people will help).”

According to Erlinda, the donations that keep the FoodAID program going is important in supporting disenfranchised groups during these difficult times.

The world as we know it has yet to become the world we once knew, but in this new environment created by the pandemic, we have seen the incredible work that many volunteers and programs can do for those that are in need.