SM FOUNDATION PROVIDES KALINGA PACKS TO PWDs

SM Foundation (SMFI), through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, recently distributed several Kalinga packs to the members of the Foundation for These-abled Persons Inc. (FTI). The foundation is one of SMFI’s partners in spreading social good.

Through this initiative, almost 200 members, who are persons with disability (PWDs), received food packs to help them through the enhanced community quarantine.

During the distribution of relief packs, the rules on social distancing were strictly followed by requiring the recipients to place chairs outside their houses. The chairs served as “drop-off points” for the kalinga packs.

Foundation for These-abled Persons Inc. Executive Director Lolita Gelle expressed her heartfelt gratitude to SMFI. “The distributed food packs to our PWD members in Cainta, Rizal and Pasig are very helpful and will surely augment their food supplies during the enhanced community quarantine,” Gelle said.

The members of the Foundation for These-Abled Persons make the teacher’s desk sets and student armchairs for the School Building Program of SM Foundation.

“Our partnership with them aims to promote inclusiveness and the recognition of the valuable contribution of all Filipinos in nation-building, including our differently-abled citizens. This also gives opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to be economically self-sufficient and show their great talents and skills,” said by a Board of Trustee of the SMFI.

“We want to make sure that we also take care of our partners in times of need, especially during a crisis like this,” the trustee added.

OPTE is a social good program of SMFI in collaboration with SM malls, Savemore and SM supermarkets. The program aims to address the immediate needs of SM’s host communities during calamities and crisis.