Businesses band together to deliver meals, relief goods after Sinlaku

A coalition of private companies and civic groups distributed hundreds of meals and essential supplies last week, underscoring the continuing need for relief efforts in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Speaking during the first day of public distribution last May 2, Angelica Lastimado, co-owner of Puerto Rico Bento Restaurant, said the initiative aimed to provide immediate, practical assistance to affected residents.

“Today is our first day of distribution for the general public. We are providing 450 meals for the community and Puerto Rico Bento, my company, is also giving out 250 pairs of slippers,” she said.

The effort is a joint undertaking involving Super Tech Inc., Genpro International Inc., Saipan Beacon Lions Club, and Puerto Rico Bento. Marcelo Masilungan of Super Tech said the collaboration reflects a shared responsibility to respond to urgent community needs.

Earlier in the day, Lions Club International District 204 also conducted a separate distribution at the Commonwealth Ports Authority airport field, where demand quickly exceeded expectations.

“We have over 400 cars lining up, but we were able only to give and serve 200 because that’s what we advertised,” Masilungan said, noting that rice, canned goods, water, and some butane were distributed. “There’s a lot of people in need and we see it firsthand now how important this relief [is] after this super typhoon.”

Jenny Cortez, Saipan manager of Genpro International, said the outreach coincides with the company’s 30th anniversary on island, choosing to mark the milestone through service rather than celebration.

“Instead of celebrating as a company, we wanted to give out to the community,” she said.

She emphasized the critical role of such efforts following the storm’s devastation.

“With the disaster that we encountered firsthand, this is very, very important. I know everyone and everybody is in need of anything—meals, clothes, housing. So this is a way for us to give back to the community,” Cortez added.

Lastimado described the meals as simple, ready-to-eat rice bowls designed for convenience.

“It’s a rice bowl. We put ground pork in it, in tomato sauce, so it will be easier for the recipients to just grab and go,” she said.

The decision to include slippers, she added, was driven by the immediate needs of families who lost belongings.

“Slippers is very important right now… there’s a lot of houses that was destroyed, so I know that some already have some damages with their clothing,” Lastimado said. “It’s something that I could give back in a very simple way.”

Organizers closed with messages of resilience and unity for the community as recovery continues.

“My message to the community is, let’s just be positive in every challenge that we’re facing right now. Tomorrow is going to be another day, just keep the faith, and we’ll get through this. Marianas Strong,” Lastimado said.

“We are all in this together. When there’s a need, there [are Lions],” Masilungan added.

Cortez echoed the sentiment, saying, “We wish everybody to be safe, and God bless everyone.”