The SM Store and SM Foundation partnered with Caritas Philippines to distribute more than 100,000 new pairs of shoes to the Social Action Centers of Caritas in Baguio, Tarlac, Zambales, Malolos, Lipa, San Pablo, Lucena, and Puerto Princesa in Luzon; 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.
Earlier this year, more than 225,000 pairs of shoes were distributed in SM’s host communities nationwide, where the recipients are composed of indigent and vulnerable children identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (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.