Reaffirming its commitment to addressing involuntary hunger, SMAC has donated ₱14.93 million to Globe's Hapag Movement, marking a significant milestone in Globe's efforts to combat hunger and uplift communities across the Philippines. This substantial corporate donation, the largest single contribution to date, coincides with the lead-up to World Food Day.
The Hapag Movement is focused on providing supplemental feeding and livelihood training to 100,000 Filipino families. The funds were raised in the second phase of SMAC’s partnership with the program, specifically through the sale of SMAC kits and the donation of points from members' purchases at SM Store and other SM retail partners between December 2023 and January 2024. The donation will be channeled through key partners like the Ayala Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation, United Nations World Food Programme, and World Vision, to enhance program implementation.
Since its inception, the Hapag Movement has made a significant impact, having provided meals to over 154,000 family members and offering livelihood training to 2,784 heads of households. Of these, 2,361 individuals have successfully continued running their small businesses, demonstrating the program’s potential to foster sustainable growth within the communities it serves.
Yaracel S. Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing at SMAC, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, emphasizing how this initiative has sparked a positive shift in consumer behavior, encouraging Filipinos to consider the well-being of their communities alongside their personal needs.
Yoly Crisanto, Globe's chief sustainability and corporate communications officer, praised the partnership's impact, noting how this donation will help extend their reach to families yet to be supported. She also highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration to bring long-term solutions to address hunger and livelihood issues in the country.
Kevin Hartigan-Go, COO of Digital Advantage Corp (DAC), noted that the partnership empowers SMAC members to contribute meaningfully, fostering a sense of purpose and social responsibility. He stressed that this initiative transcends seasonal efforts, creating lasting change through both feeding programs and livelihood support.
Looking ahead, Globe and SMAC are gearing up for their third fundraising round in December, offering even more opportunities for Filipino shoppers to contribute through their purchases. The first partnership between SMAC and the Hapag Movement in 2022 raised ₱5.5 million, benefiting 55,000 individuals. The expanded participation of 13 different brands during Year 2, combined with increased online engagement, significantly boosted the funds raised for the cause.
As the Hapag Movement nears its multi-year target, it plans to ramp up its initiatives, focusing on livelihood training and improving nutrition in public schools to help prevent child stunting. Globe and SMAC continue to invite more companies to #UniteForHapag and collaborate on creating sustainable, impactful solutions to uplift Filipino families nationwide.
For more information or to support the cause, visit the Hapag Movement page on Globe's website.
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