MANILA, Philippines — The SM Store and SM Foundation have donated more than 300,000 pairs of shoes to Caritas Philippines and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) this year alone.
The SM Store and SM Foundation partnered with Caritas Philippines to distribute more than 100,000 new pairs of shoes to Caritas’ Social Action Centers in Baguio, Tarlac, Zambales, Malolos, Lipa, San Pablo, Lucena and Puerto Princesa in Luzon; and Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas.
Recipients include indigent families, farmers, laborers, persons with disabilities, and children. Some are also COVID-19 community frontliners and survivors of Typhoon Odette.
The SM Group and Caritas Philippines have been long-time partners on various social development programs from education to health and relief operations.
More than 225,000 pairs of shoes were distributed in SM’s host communities nationwide. The recipients were indigent and vulnerable children identified by the DSWD. Some of these areas include Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, La Union, Dagupan, Tarlac, Laguna, Zamboanga, Davao and General Santos.
“Shoes are essential, they help protect our feet. But not everyone has access to a decent pair of shoes. Through the Share Shoes Program of The SM Store and SM Foundation, we are able to distribute shoes to people who need them most,” said Rose Siaco, vice president of The SM Store.
From May 15 to July 31, shoppers can also Share Shoes by donating their SMAC points. Accumulated points will be used to purchase new shoes for the children of World Vision. Participating cards include SM Advantage Card, SMAC Prestige and BDO SMAC.
To donate, just log in to www.smac.ph, click Transfer Points, enter shareshoes@smac.ph, and encode the number of points you wish to donate.
The SM Store corporate social responsibility programs Share Your Extras, Share Shoes, Donate A Book, and Share A Toy are implemented in partnership with its customers and SM Foundation with a shared mission of bringing cheer to communities.
All branches of The SM Store house coin boxes for UNICEF, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Good Neighbors Philippines and World Vision.