The SM Store Launches “Shop&Share for Sustainable Livelihood” – An Initiative That Empowers Indigent Farmers and Supports the Agricultural Community in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES. In line with its continuing commitment to positively impact local communities, SM Store will diversify its approach towards (corporate) social responsibility this 2023. Through this inaugural program, SM Store empowers shoppers to become agents of positive change by participating in programs that will advocate community development and sustainability.

Last July 10, 2023, SM Store, in partnership with ACE Express, announced a new initiative, known as Shop&Share for Sustainable Livelihood, which aims to empower farmers and support the agricultural community in the Mindanao region. The program’s primary goal is to impact the lives of the farming community in Zamboanga Sibugay by donating a farming toolkit for a minimum single-receipt spend of P800 in ACE Express. This initiative fulfills a sense of social responsibility and offers shoppers a unique opportunity to be directly involved in giving back to the community.

Bernard Ong, President of ACE Hardware Philippines, expressed their unyielding support for the community at large: “At ACE Express, we're proud to be a part of the Shop&Share campaign with the SM Store. We stand by our commitment to be helpful, not only to customers, but also to the local community. By providing farming toolkits, we hope to provide the PhilSEED farmers the means for sustaining their livelihood and a way to improve their lives.”

SM Store also collaborated with Philippine Social Empowerment and Equity Development Foundation (PhilSEED) Inc. – a pioneering nonprofit organization committed to the economic and social prosperity of farmers and their communities in the Philippines. One of their priority projects is “The Cacao Project” – an 18-month program, which focuses on an all-encompassing training from experts that will enable the farmers to be equipped with the proper knowledge about the agri-business.

Mr. Josh Mahinay, the Chief Executive Officer of PhilSEED, shared that the organization is gearing towards reigniting the farmers' dying passion for agriculture. “Farmers remain the poorest in the Philippines; but their poverty situation is not a hopeless case if stakeholders can come together and build an enabling environment that will empower them. Almost no farmer-parents want their children to farm, and that is why it is very important to intentionally co-create solutions through partnerships such as this and produce more success stories on the ground to show, especially to the young people, that there is economic viability in farming, that farming is a good career path to choose. This is very important for the food security of our country.”

Despite being the unsung heroes of our society, Filipino farmers have little to no access to the necessary farming tools due to lack of funds. To assist these farmers, PhilSEED actively seeks assistance from organizations that can provide funding to meet the farmers' requirements. Through its partnership with SM Store and ACE Express, PhilSEED’s call for support has been answered.

Notwithstanding this campaign, SM Store and ACE Express were able to turnover more than one hundred (100) farming toolkits and a generator set to the indigent farmers of Zamboanga Sibugay. Access to basic tools will enable farmers to increase their productivity, encourage efficient work practices, and effective farm management. Furthermore, by supporting indigent farmers with the necessary tools, the entirety of the agricultural community can experience progress. As individual farmers thrive, they contribute to the overall development and well-being of their community.

“This initiative aims to empower our community partners by providing them with the necessary toolkits needed to make their livelihood more sustainable. We are grateful to our loyal and generous customers who played a vital role in this cause. This partnership with PhilSEED and ACE Express is a testament of how SM Store is working together with our stakeholders to continue our legacy of sharing and serving the communities for over 65 years,” explained Dhinno S. Tiu, SM Store’s Executive Vice President.

Shop&Share for a Sustainable Livelihood marked the beginning of a series of advocacy programs to come. As SM Store endeavors to carry on with this journey, its commitment to empower the members of various communities only grows stronger. Surely, with the continuous support and strong collaboration with the stakeholders, a brighter future for all is assured to be realized.

Womenpreneur Market is back at SM City Mindpro!

Empowered women entrepreneurs take the spotlight at SM’s Womenpreneur Market happening on August 16-22, 2023.

SM City Mindpro invites everyone to support the local women entrepreneurs and enjoy #aweSM finds and eats curated by talented female exhibitors at the ground level activity area.

📍 Marya’s Soap and Scents

📍 Zea

📍 Karimadon

📍 Bay Tal Mal

#EverythingsHereAtSM

EGAY AND FALCON SPUR SM NORTH LUZON RELIEF EFFORTS

Responding to the devastation brought by Typhoons Egay and Falcon in North Luzon, SM Supermalls and SM Foundation Inc. have activated their Operations Tulong Express (OPTE) initiatives, providing relief and support to affected areas.

A heartwarming moment as an all-smiles senior citizen receives a relief pack from SM City Marilao.

Volunteers from SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag have distributed essential "kalinga packs" to 28 barangays in Bulacan, while SM Center Pulilan team has reached 7,320 families through door-to-door relief efforts.

These residents express their gratitude as they receive kalinga packs from SM Malls in Bulacan, SM Savemore and SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express.

In Pampanga, SM City Pampanga and SM Savemore Market Apalit have supplied 1,970 relief packs, and SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Olongapo Downtown,and SM City Bataan have offered assistance to their respective communities.

SM Foundation Inc., through SM City Baliwag, distributed 1,000 relief packs to the families in the flooded areas.

Meanwhile,SM Center Dagupan provided relief to 550 recipients, SM City Tuguegarao aided 300 families in Baggao and Cagayan, and SM City Baguio supported three barangays with 250 relief packs.

SM Foundation Inc., through SM City Baliwag, SM City Marilao and SM Center Pulilan, distributed thousands of relief packs to the families in the evacuation centers.

These initiatives exemplify the collaborative spirit of SM Foundation's Operation Tulong Express, showcasing the dedicated efforts of SM Supermalls and SM Markets employees and volunteers.

SOURCE:SM SUPERMALLS | #EVERYTHINGHEREATSM

SM City Mindpro joins Brigada Eskwela 2023

SM City Mindpro showed bayanihan spirit by participating in the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela 2023 at Zamboanga Central School SPED Center.

SM City Mindpro Mall Manager Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, together with mall admin employees and security agency personnel helped in cleaning the school and turned over paint and cleaning materials needed by the school.

This initiative is a testament to SM’s dedication to education and its firm belief in the power of volunteerism. It also aims to be part of the inspiration to all students to look forward to a safe, clean, and fresh school year. SM Cares and SM City Mindpro joined hands to be part of this year’s Brigada Eskwela to show that SM really cares for the education of the future generation.

Zamboanga farmers graduated from SM’s Sustainable Agriculture Training

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” This is what SM Foundation (SMFI) believes in as it touches the lives of farmers across the country through its Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on sustainable agriculture program. For SM Foundation, its social good efforts should uplift the lives of its stakeholders, which would later create a ripple effect that would also be beneficial for their communities.

Recent graduates of the KSK program are the 52 rural farmers from Zamboanga City under its Batch 237 (Barangay Mampang) and 238 (Barangay Talabaan). The farmer-graduates underwent a 14-week long agri-training program that taught them basic and advanced farming techniques and agripreneurship.

Together with SM Foundation’s partner school, Casuga Integrated Farm School, various agencies provided extensive trainings to the farmer beneficiaries which were crucial in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurial mind-setting. Partner agencies include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 9, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 9, Department of Agriculture (DA) 9, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 9, Department of Tourism (DOT) 9, and the City Government of Zamboanga through the Office of the City Agriculturist.

During the graduation ceremony, the local and national agency partners pledged to continue its support, which brought positivity and inspiration to the 52 farmer-graduates.

“We thank SM Foundation for leading this program and for giving us this opportunity which broaden our knowledge in sustainable agriculture and agripreneurship. This also pave the way to many opportunities given to us by the different agencies involved”, said Mr. Fermin Rojas in Chavacano as he shared his thoughts about the program.

Ms. Cristie Angeles, Assistant Vice President for Outreach Programs of SM Foundation also shared that the program will not stop after the graduation. “SM Foundation will work closely with our partner agencies to continuously help our farmer beneficiaries for them to be successful in this field,” she shared.

SM’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) aims to bring modern and sustainable farming skills in both rural and urban communities to help farmers have food on their table and have potential economic opportunities. To date, the program has trained more than 28,100 farmers from more than 900 cities/municipalities nationwide.

HUGE DISCOUNTS AT SM SUPERMALLS’ CYBER TECH SALE THIS AUGUST

You won’t believe the deals that are up for grabs at SM Supermalls! UnlimiTECH choices and a wide array of fun tech options are up for gadget lovers from August 1-31, 2023, nationwide.

Cyber Month Tech Sale will include price slashes on gadgets, game fests, promos, freebies, and exhibits from partner brands like MSI, Lenin Mobile Store, Aorus, JBL, and Samsung. Avail of these special promos, special offerings, and bundles on select items with up to 50% off in participating stores in SM Cyberzone this August.

Mark your calendars! August is geek-out month with these fun-filled activities and deals in store for you this Cyber Month at an SM City Mindpro. Game on and shop #TechAssured gadgets and get exciting deals when you #CheckCyberzone.

 

For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com/cyberzone, or follow @SMSupermalls and @smcyberzone on social media.