UnionBank Volunteers Support SOS Kitchen, Providing Warm Meals to Typhoon-Affected Families
By: Martina Lucero
On August 3, UnionBank volunteers from HR, Products, and General Services participated in a family welfare initiative under GoBeyond Communities (GBC), UnionBank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. This event, celebrating Nutrition Month, concluded a series of Ubuntugether Sessions and mini bazaars focused on health, investment, and benefits.
The initiative had the theme “Beyond The Table,” and explored various aspects of nutrition, including agriculture, food production, sustainability, and reducing food waste. It aimed to broaden the understanding of nutrition beyond home meals to include food consumed in schools, restaurants, and community events.
The volunteers visited Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Kitchen to donate essential cleaning supplies, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for meal preparation. They also helped prepare, cook, and pack food for distribution to an underserved community impacted by Typhoon Carina. This recent typhoon caused severe flooding, widespread destruction, and displacement, leading to a state of calamity in several areas of Luzon, making the support for these communities especially critical.
The beneficiaries, selected by SOS Kitchen, received meals made from ingredients donated by other corporations, amplifying the initiative’s impact.
Jenessa, a UnionBank UI/UX Designer and volunteer, shared her reflections on the initiative. She emphasized how the project extended the lesson she learned growing up about not wasting food. “We were always told to ‘finish your food because many people are hungry,’” she said. Jenessa found it deeply rewarding to be involved in preparing and distributing meals to over 500 people. She noted that while cooking for a large number can be challenging, “nothing beats the taste of a warm meal that’s homemade.” She praised SOS Philippines for their efforts to give surplus food another life and support local communities.
Ann, the Bank’s Organizational Development Manager and another volunteer, also found the initiative highly rewarding. She highlighted that the effort not only addressed immediate hunger but also showcased how surplus food resources can be effectively managed. “Preparing and distributing food to those in need was rewarding on its own,” Ann stated. “The bank’s support for SOS PH in rescuing surplus food and turning it into nourishing meals made the experience even more meaningful.”
GoBeyond Communities exemplifies UnionBank’s commitment to social responsibility. By empowering employees to lead and participate in impactful initiatives, UnionBank not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a culture of compassion and community support.