SM’s SMAC Raises P30 Million to Help Address Lack of Food Security and Quality Education

SMAC, SM's loyalty program, raised over P30 million between December 2023 and January 2024 to assist combat involuntary hunger and a lack of access to excellent education across the country, in conjunction with Globe's Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation.

​This is SMAC's second year working with the Hapag Movement, which aims to provide supplemental meals and sustainable livelihood training to 100,000 Filipino families. Last year's campaign raised P5.5 million, benefiting 10,000 families.

SMAC supported the campaign by donating P50 for every SMAC kit sold. Bonus points were also donated to the campaign for every eligible purchase made at participating SM Retail affiliates, which included SM Store, SM Fashion, SM Beauty, SM Appliance Center, Kultura, Our Home, Surplus, Sport Central, Silk Issues, Levi's, Forever 21, The Body Shop, Echo, and Crate and Barrel.
 
“We owe our success to the participation of our loyal SMAC membership. Every purchase they made, every point they donated, goes a long way to the underprivileged families. Together, we can build a future where no one goes hungry,” shared Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer, SMAC.

This year, SMAC and Globe's collaboration generated approximately 30 million points, which will be donated to the Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation. Hartigan-Go emphasized that "these will go into programs that will directly impact the lives of many Filipinos."

According to the most recent June 2024 Social Weather Station (SWS) poll, the country's hunger rate has risen to 17.6% from 14.2% in March.

Hartigan-Go elaborated: "Hapag's vision of fighting involuntary hunger resonates with SMAC, our retail partners, and our SMAC member base."

Meanwhile, Yoly Crisanto, Globe's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the importance of working with SMAC.

“This partnership goes beyond seasonal efforts, providing sustainable support to families. By helping stave off involuntary hunger and enabling households to improve their livelihood, we’re building a foundation for lasting change. We are excited to continue this work and invite other organizations to collaborate with us so that together, we can make a difference,” said Crisanto.

The Hapag Movement's partner organizations include the UN World Food Programme, the Ayala Foundation, and World Vision Philippines.

“SMAC has proven that business and customers can unite to make a meaningful difference, and together we are helping build communities across the nation,” said Carmen Atayde, Director for Education, SM Foundation.
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The donation will help 35 students in need pursue and complete their education. The SM Foundation is in its 31st year and has already sponsored 4,500 graduates.

Atayde also added that SMAC members who “simply chose to give have changed lives, especially for economically challenged but deserving students from vulnerable communities. SMFI shares with our fellow recipients, our fellow beneficiaries, the deep appreciation of SMAC’s big heart to make a difference in the lives of the underserved members of our society.”