MANILA, Philippines — Starbucks Philippines, together with its partners (employees) and local community organizations, continues to celebrate its annual Global Month of Good. Every year, the company encourages partners to support initiatives aimed at improving the local neighborhoods. Global Month of Good started with a mission to promote the importance and value of community service. Since 2011, Starbucks markets globally have been dedicating the month of April to bringing partners together to use our scale for good, supporting programs that positively impact the planet.
This year, Starbucks Philippines extended its community-building initiatives, expanding its efforts to key cities outside Metro Manila, while simultaneously amplifying its outreach within the current communities they serve. With more than 450 stores nationwide, the company has placed a priority on supporting youth education and hunger relief. Partners from different branches, who volunteered their time and talent, were able to create a meaningful difference through the following initiatives:
Hope in A Bottle Classroom, Bulacan
HOPE, an impact organization that gives back to the local community, and Starbucks Philippines have maintained an 8-year partnership since 2016, during which they have constructed a total of five classrooms in under-resourced areas across the country. These classrooms are located at H.N. Cahlisot Central Elementary School in General Santos City, LT.C. Villafuerte Elementary School in Calinan, Davao City (2 classrooms), Archbishop Emilio Cinense Elementary School in San Fernando, Pampanga, and Bulualto Elementary School in San Miguel, Bulacan. This year, the two organizations unveiled a brand-new classroom at Bulualto Elementary School, furthering their commitment to improving access to education and development opportunities for these communities. Both organizations provide conducive learning environments through classroom building for students and teachers and inspire hope in communities across the nation.
Planet Water Tower, Lapu-Lapu City
Starbucks Philippines successfully built its fifth AquaTower nationwide in Cebu, in partnership with Planet Water Foundation and The Starbucks Foundation. This is also Starbucks Philippines’ first structure outside of the Luzon region, which gives over a thousand students of Babag II Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, access to clean water for both drinking and handwashing. The AquaTower is a community-level water filtration system that can deliver 1,000 liters of clean drinking water per hour and is equipped with six faucets and an integrated liquid soap dispenser. Starbucks partners volunteered to teach the kids how to properly wash their hands, and the importance of having clean hands to be healthy, and strong, and to fight germs. Watch the video here.
FoodShare Expansion, Pampanga City and Bacolod City
Launched in 2022, Starbucks FoodShare is a food donation program in partnership with the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Grab Philippines. Participating Starbucks stores work together with Grab drivers to pick up and deliver rescuable food and deliver to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation. From there, the food is distributed to underserved communities. To date, Starbucks Philippines has donated over 1 million rescuable food items to these beneficiaries. This year, the program was extended to North Luzon and Visayas regions, specifically in the cities of Pampanga and Bacolod. Beneficiaries in these areas include Bahay Pag-Ibig House of Prayer (Home for the Aged) and Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth Inc. (Home for the Abandoned and Handicapped Special Children) in Pampanga, CICM Mission Center, Caritas Bacolod, and Senor Sto. Nino Home/Orphanage in Bacolod.
Bonus Stars for Starbucks Rewards Members, nationwide
Starbucks customers nationwide continue to enjoy a PHP10 store discount whenever they buy drinks using their personal reusable cups. To celebrate the Global Month of Good, Starbucks Rewards members also receive an additional Bonus Star with every purchase and when using Starbucks for-here drinkware. Running until June 3, this effort aims to involve the most loyal customers in making the planet a better place by practicing sustainability in their own small but impactful way.
Greener Stores
Starbucks Philippines also highlights its first three Greener Stores in the market, marking a milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability. Customers can enjoy their favorite Starbucks drinks in Greener Stores, designed to reduce carbon emissions, minimize water usage, and reduce landfill waste: The Shops at Ayala Triangle Garden, One Ayala, and Commonwealth corner Peseta is the newest addition to this roster.
“Our global month of good efforts, alongside our dedicated partners, reaffirm our commitment to serving not only great coffee but also our local communities. As we celebrate the power of volunteerism and community service, we witness lives transformed and neighborhoods uplifted. This annual initiative goes beyond just a program; it shows what our brand truly represents- creating a positive and meaningful change.” says Noey Lopez, president, Rustan Coffee Corporation.
Starbucks Philippines remains committed to helping the communities they serve across the market, not just during the Global Month of Good, but beyond. The company looks forward to implementing further initiatives in the years to come.
