As a way to celebrate World Food Day, Globe’s Hapag Movement recently got volunteers together for a program to feed needy families in Marikina City. The effort is called #UniteForHapag.

Partnering with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) PH, Globe recently organized a volunteer activity in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, where volunteers were able to prepare 300 meals, and later on distributed it in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City serving a total of 300 individuals. It was led by Globe employees, Team Globe of Good influencers, and media partners, who worked together to prepare and deliver hot meals to beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries include children from low-income and food-vulnerable families in a community that is prone to flooding.

“Through hands-on engagement, our volunteers actively participate in community initiatives, food drives, and educational programs that also tackle food waste. By fostering a spirit of volunteerism, we not only contribute to immediate relief efforts but also empower communities to address the root causes of hunger and food waste in a sustainable manner,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

Kerwin King from Team Globe of Good, who joined the feeding program, emphasizes the role of influencers and content creators in advancing the cause.

“To sustain the people’s interest in addressing food insecurity, it’s important for us to communicate. Importante talagang gamitin ang social media like TikTok kasi napaka-powerful ng social media ngayon, but we have to be careful with misinformation para mas marami pa tayong ma-enganyong tumulong sa mga Piipino.  Alam ko namang makakabangon tayong lahat,” he stressed.

Another Team Globe of Good Ambassador, host, model and entrepreneur Mela Habijan, invited everyone to be part of the Hapag Movement.

“Through uniting with Hapag, we will be able to not just feed our Filipino families but make them feel hopeful in these trying times. Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama, ang pag-asang ito ang magiging dahilan para tayo ay maging buo bilang nasyon,” she said.

Spotlight: SOS Philippines

The activity illustrates the impact of the Hapag Movement, a campaign launched in 2022 to address involuntary hunger in the Philippines, which worsened during and in the aftermath of the pandemic marked by accelerated inflation. Among its ecosystem of partners is SOS Philippines, an organization that aims to address food waste.

Data from the Food Consumption Survey by the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) indicates that the Philippines sees a staggering 1,717 metric tons of food wastage each day. Further highlighting this concern, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines has reported that an average Filipino discards about one tablespoon, or 14 grams, of rice daily. This translates to a daily monetary loss of ₱23 million from wasted rice alone.

Addressing this alarming data, Arthur Winston Bitangcol, SOS Director of Operations, stated, “We estimate that we waste a third of the food that we produce. So that’s the reason why SOS and similar food rescue organizations exist to hopefully divert and redistribute food that is otherwise serviceable and fit for human consumption, from the landfills.  We encourage food companies that have a food surplus to reach out to us through our social media pages so that we could work together.”

While SOS primarily addresses commercial food waste, Bitangcol noted that the challenge of residential food wastage persists. He implored everyone to practice individual responsibility and be mindful of their consumption, wherever they may be.

The #UniteForHapag campaign calls on individuals and organizations alike to rally behind a shared vision: to end hunger, reduce food waste, and uplift the lives of all Filipinos. The movement emphasizes unity, believing that collectively, they can ensure every Filipino has access to a nourishing meal.

 

To learn more about Globe and the Hapag Movement, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.