A coffee shop in Quezon City installed a community pantry for delivery riders and tricycle drivers dealing with high fuel costs.
Pithaya Cafe on Monday, April 13, launched the pantry as a “simple way” of giving back to drivers, who are among the most affected by rising fuel prices.
“We started Pithaya without knowing exactly what the future would hold. Every step felt uncertain, every decision a leap of faith. But today, seeing the people who support us, believe in us, and have helped us along the way — it’s truly humbling,” it said in a Facebook post.
“It reminds us to pause and reflect on why we began this journey. Pithaya has never been just about coffee. It’s about creating something meaningful — something that inspires and helps, even in the smallest ways,” the cafe added.
“That’s why we’re proud to launch the Pithaya Community Pantry, a simple way of giving back to our delivery riders and tricycle drivers, and spreading kindness one cup at a time,” it continued.
The pantry is filled with vegetables, fruits, eggs, noodles, canned goods and coffee.
“To everyone who has been part of our journey, thank you. Let’s continue to grow — not just as a café, but as a space that shares love, care, and heart,” the cafe said.
In an interview with Inquirer, business owner Shaina Sy Narca said that the initiative stems from the cafe’s mission to help those in need, “one cup, one act of generosity at a time.”
“Even though we’ve only recently opened our store last February and are carefully managing our funds, we didn’t think twice [in lending a hand],” she said.
“For us, building Pithaya is…. about creating a space that allows us to share what we can and reach out to others with kindness, however simple it may be,” Narca added.
She said she hopes to sustain the pantry two to three times a week and expand its offerings, depending on contributions from donors.
Meanwhile, motorists have been dealing with high fuel costs since March, with prices per liter reaching triple digits and gas stations improvising their signage with tarpaulins to accommodate the large figures.
Some jeepney drivers and operators have reduced or stopped plying their routes in the meantime, saying they take home as little as P200 to P300 for a whole day’s work.
The high prices of petroleum products have been attributed to tensions in the Middle East, as oil suppliers face difficulties shipping their products due to military actions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
