(Edited Press Release)
The Jollibee Group and its vast network of partners continue to pursue the company’s strategic disaster response by providing critical assistance in hard-hit and hard-to-reach areas across the Philippines. Through its FoodAID Program, which it started in 2013, Jollibee Group harnesses its expertise and network to produce and distribute food items that are low-cost, delicious, nutritious, and easy to prepare and store at the same time.
From the onset of the pandemic in 2020 until June 2022, the FoodAID Program has distributed nearly 8.4 million meals in pandemic and disaster-affected communities across 358 cities and municipalities in 60 provinces with the help of its partner organizations.
Part of the effort is Art Relief Mobile Kitchen (ARMK) which has provided ingredients to prepare hot meals. After Typhoon Odette hit in December 2021, ARMK received more than 700 kilos of marinated beef from JGF that were immediately brought to the disaster-stricken areas.
Through this partnership, JGF and ARMK served 10,900 meals in Butuan and Surigao. Precious Leaño, one of ARMK founders, recalled how beneficiaries were pleasantly surprised that fresh beef was being served. “Some people were jumping for joy,” Leaño said.
“Our partnership with Jollibee Group Foundation is a big part of being able to feed people who are affected by disasters. When a disaster strikes, people really need comforting food. The minute it hits the tummy and they feel that warmth go through their bodies, their senses awaken. They can begin to think about rebuilding and moving forward,” she added.
Jollibee Group franchisees have also been an active part of the FoodAID Program’s implementation system. Tess Lao rallied fellow franchisees after Typhoon Odette hit in December 2021 and raised cash and other in-kind donations. Reflecting on her experience, Tess related, “It is a way of life for franchisees and team members. They really want to help. We share the joy through the products we serve, through the little help we can give and by being there. The Jollibee Group can reach even the farthest community.”
Empowering communities to prepare for disasters
“We leveraged on Jollibee Group’s experience in meal preparation and product development to come up with specially developed food ingredients that can either be prepositioned in at-risk areas or immediately distributed when a disaster hits. This way, affected communities can have warm meals that are affordable without compromising the taste,” said Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson.
One of these food items is specially formulated congee mix packs that are distributed and pre-positioned with partners located in disaster-prone areas. With a shelf-life of six months, a congee pack mixed with rice and water can provide immediate nourishment to 100 people.
In 2020, Jollibee Group also developed ready-to-cook beef meatballs and sauteed chicken packs, which were distributed to communities affected by the pandemic.
To also help boost micro-enterprises during the pandemic, Jollibee Group Foundation trained karinderya (eatery) proprietors on food preparation, food safety, and customer service while serving meals to families in the most vulnerable communities. The Foundation and its partners provided selected families with food vouchers for 30 days. These vouchers were then used to purchase meals from participating karinderyas. This ensured the survival and operations of 320 karinderyas in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal and served meals to 32,000 individuals during the pandemic’s peak period.
Support to recover and rebuild
The Foundation also extends support that benefits communities beyond the immediate aftermath of disasters. It provides partner farmers with assistance to get back on their feet through the Farmer Livelihood Recovery Program.
Prior to the pandemic, Jollibee Group Foundation would also organize special school feeding through its Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) School Feeding Program (to aid children and teachers in getting back to their school routine.
“Through our FoodAID Program, we will continue to rally our partners towards extending assistance to our kababayans and share hope as they recover during difficult times,” Tiongson added.
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