Feeding Hope: A Community Effort for Tacloban's Streets

A Story of Giving Back to the Community

In the bustling streets of Tacloban, we are often confronted with heart-wrenching realities: families struggling to find their next meal, parents clutching their children as they search for food, and individuals sifting through garbage just to stave off hunger. These scenes are a sobering reminder of the privileges we sometimes take for granted—a steady income, a warm home, a bed to rest in, and the ability to enjoy good food.

As a team and as a community, we are blessed with resources and opportunities that many others do not have. With those blessings comes the responsibility—and the privilege—to give back. This belief inspired the idea of “Feeding Hope,” a project aimed at sharing our blessings with those who need them most. Through this initiative, we sought to distribute essential food items like canned goods, milk, biscuits, and bread to the homeless and less fortunate within our community. By directly reaching out, we hoped to bring not just sustenance, but also hope, warmth, and compassion to those in need.

This idea was sparked by a competition for World Kindness Day, where anyone across

VSS sites could propose an outreach program. With a heartfelt sense of purpose, I submitted a proposal, convinced of its potential to make a real difference. When the project received the green light, it was heartening to see an outpouring of support from employees—agents and management alike—volunteering their time and effort to bring it to life.

An initial grant of 10,500 Pluxee kickstarted the project, and with the support of SD Jason, we organized a one-day monetary drive at Himalayan. The incredible generosity of our community raised an additional ₱2,372 in just one day, further bolstering our efforts. With a clear plan in place—deciding what to include in the care bags, mapping out distribution routes, and coordinating volunteers—we prepared to make this vision a reality.

The enthusiasm of our volunteers was truly inspiring. Fifteen agents eagerly stepped up,

driven not by the ability to donate money but by their willingness to lend time and effort to this cause. Their collective spirit allowed us to assemble 50 bags filled with essential goods: sardines, corned beef, meatloaf, noodles, milk, biscuits, and bread. While modest, these bags represented a gesture of care and a glimmer of hope for those in need.

Though the activity was rescheduled to December 21, 2024, the timing could not have

been more perfect. The holiday season amplified the spirit of giving and love. On the day of the activity, despite unpredictable weather and sudden rain, our team pressed forward with unwavering determination. Volunteers of 10 agents and 5 coming from the Management worked tirelessly to distribute the care bags across Tacloban, driven by a shared purpose to bring smiles to the faces of those in need. The reactions of the recipients were humbling. Their heartfelt gratitude, captured in the simple yet profound words, “Salamat hin duro hine” (Thank you very much for this), resonated deeply with each of us. Their sincerity reminded us that even small acts of kindness can create ripples of hope and joy.

This initiative underscored a powerful truth: kindness is a force that unites and uplifts. Through “Feeding Hope,” we witnessed the incredible impact that collective action can achieve. This experience reinforced our commitment to fostering empathy, compassion, and a sense of community.

Let us continue to be a beacon of hope, sharing our blessings and creating lasting change for those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference—one act of kindness at a time. Thank you for believing in this initiative, and I look forward to working with all of you to turn our faith into action. - Erielle Alysa Ala, TL at HMY

Matthew 25:34-36,40

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was

sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."