MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 4, 2025 — At Starbucks, they believe that good things can happen when people connect over coffee. Their new “Get Together” campaign aims to inspire meaningful conversations that spark positive actions—one cup at a time. Launching across Asia Pacific, this initiative invites customers to engage in three core areas: people, community, and the environment, promoting positive change in both big and small ways.
In the Philippines, Starbucks will focus on youth education through the Community Store programs and expand Starbucks FoodShare. Starbucks Philippines president Noey Lopez shares about their community efforts and the value of collaboration.
What does connection mean to Starbucks?
At Starbucks Philippines, connection is central to our mission. We aim to create a welcoming space where everyone feels valued. Our “Get Together” campaign highlights the strength of these connections, encouraging individuals to unite around meaningful causes. By turning everyday moments into opportunities for positive action, we hope to foster a culture of support and change.
How have Community Stores made a tangible difference in the lives of young individuals?
Since opening our first Community Store in Abad Santo Tondo last September 2023 and our second in Maysilo Circle a year later, we’ve partnered with organizations like AHA! Learning Center, Young Focus and Mano Amiga Philippines to champion youth education. To date, we’ve positively impacted over 300 students through scholarships and learning programs, with a portion of our Community Store sales funding these initiatives.
How does the FoodShare program support communities?
Since its launch in 2022, we’ve donated nearly 2 million rescuable food from over 260 stores nationwide by partnering with The Philippines FoodBank Foundation and Grab Philippines. This collaboration not only provides essential nutrition to those in need but also reduces food waste by diverting surplus food from landfills.
What initiatives reflect Starbucks customer and partner (employee) involvement?
We encourage customers to embrace sustainability by using for-here ware or their own tumblers for a PHP10 discount on their beverage.
Meanwhile, our partner (employee) volunteerism and long-term partnership with HOPE has enabled us to build classrooms in underserved areas, recently reaching our fifth classroom in Bulacan. Additionally, our collaboration with Planet Water Foundation has led to seven AquaTowers, with the latest in Quezon. These AquaTowers collectively provide clean water access to an estimated 12,000 individuals. Together with The Starbucks Foundation, we also deployed an AquaBlock to provide emergency water access during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Kristine in Camarines Sur.
What can we look forward to?
We are building on the foundation of the “Get Together” campaign by celebrating International Women’s Month and the Global Month of Good throughout March and April. This will include a series of partner (employee) volunteer events featuring discussions with trailblazing women artists to inspire our youth beneficiaries. By creating a ripple effect of shared purpose, we will also put the spotlight on our partner foundations and the dedicated individuals who get together for good, through an engaging social media campaign designed to foster a chain of appreciation and positivity.
