Village Connect
Recognizing the need of many Filipino children towards having adequate school resources, SM Store launched a program called Shop & Share to Bridge Access to Education, which aims to help many underprivileged students in their learning journey.
During the entire month of August, several SM Stores across the country participated in the initiative that allowed their loyal customers to take part in helping a student in need through donating a school kit. Originally retailing for P149 per bundle, the school kits were made available for customer purchase and donation at a reasonable amount of P99. Last September 1, 2023, SM Store started to turn over more than 13,000 notebooks to thousands of underprivileged pupils in different parts of the Philippines.
In partnership with SM Foundation, SM Stationery and some local government units, a total of twenty (20) public schools received school kits through the program, namely: Capatan Elementary School in Tuguegarao City; Balanga Elementary School in Balanga, Bataan; Federated PTA Division in San Fernando, Pampanga; Osorio Elementary School in Trece Martires, Cavite; Lemery Pilot Elementary School in Batangas; Pateros Elementary School in Metro, Manila; Sampaloc Site II Elementary School in Paranaque City; Tungkong Mangga Elementary School in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Universidad de Manila Annex in Manila; Efraim Santibanez National High School in Passi, Iloilo; Jugan Elementary School in Consolacion, Cebu; Mabolo Elementary School in Cebu, Barrio Luz Elementary School in Cebu, Carreta Elementary School in Cebu, F. Ubay Elementary School in Puerto Princesa; Nessia Elementary School in Bacolod; Macasandig Elementary School in Cagayan De Oro; Banisil National High School in General Santos, Zamboanga Central School SPED in Zamboanga City and City Government of Basilan.
Mr. Peter Galimba, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent at DepEd – Division of Bacolod City, expressed how this initiative will help and impact the students of their school – “These notebooks are the keystones to their academic success, providing a solid foundation for their educational pursuits.”
In accepting the notebook bundles donated by SM Store, Dr. Ramonit Belascuain, Principal of Efraim M. Santibañez National High School in Municipality of Passi, Province of Iloilo, conveyed the symbolism and significance of notebooks in the lives of the students – “These are not just ordinary school supplies; they serve as inspiration for children who are studying and valuing education.”
From left, Mr. Willie Gamboa-Branch Manager of SM Store Bacolod, Ms. Corazon Alfiscar-Principal of Illuminado Nessia Elementary School, (center) Mr. Aries Pineda-Sr. Manager of SM Store Corporate Social Responsibility, Mr. Pete Galimba-Asst Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Bacolod and Mr. Celestino Nifras Jr-Sr. Education Specialist of DepEd Bacolod.
SM Store considers education as one of the foundations of a progressive society. This initiative holds a huge importance in the company’s advocacy not only to give back to the community but to uplift the lives of every individual, especially the children.
The collective efforts of SM’s loyal patrons, partners, and stakeholders embody that great things are done by a series of small things. Through their commitment to help, almost one hundred thousand notebooks were provided to fourteen thousand students, which means giving them support, encouragement, a chance to learn, and an opportunity to dream beyond limits.
The undying compassion and generosity of SM Store’s customers continue in inspiring to create more programs that exhibit collaboration and involvement within the community, which in the end, aims to benefit those who are the most in need.
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