SM Investments: The SM Store Shop & Share with Mastercard offers electronic tablets to 1,210 SM Foundation scholarship recipients

Representatives from the SM Foundation and The SM Store prepare the electronic tablets for distribution to SM Foundation scholars

SM FoundationThe 1,210 scholars from all over the Philippines are now better equipped for their studies thanks to the electronic tablets offered by Mastercard, The SM Shopand their customers.

The Shop & Share campaign, which ran for three days in October 2021, enabled The SM Store shoppers across the country to participate in the initiative. For each Mastercard transaction in store or via the Personal Shopper, regardless of the amount, Mastercard donated 100 pesos to the program aimed at supporting the online learning of certain beneficiary students.

SM researcher Rica Mae Panotes receives an electronic tablet from The SM Store’s Shop & Share with Mastercard campaign

“Buy and Share with Mastercard is a great example of shared value in action. Through simple transactions as usual in our stores using Mastercard, we were able to raise funds to purchase tablet computers for SM Foundation scholars” , said Chelo Monasterio. , the president of the store SM. “We are fortunate to have found an ally in Mastercard to give back through this campaign.”

Mastercard Country Director Simon Calasanz reiterated how partnerships could help achieve big goals, and that’s his hope for scholars receiving the tablet computers. “I hope tablet computers will have a positive impact on your education and in your lives. Maybe one day it will be your initiatives that will drive financial inclusion and sustainability in the country.”

SM Foundation Fellows expressed their support for The SM Store, Mastercard, and SM Foundation during the online spin-off ceremony held on March 26, 2022, via Zoom. The SM Store led by its President Chelo Monasterio (top left) and Mastercard executives led by its Country Manager Simon Calasanz (top center) attended the ceremony.

In turn, Eleanor Lansang, the SM Foundation’s Senior Assistant Vice President for the Fellowship Program, emphasized the importance of equipping students with the right devices for their learning. “With your support, we are able to empower students, giving them a fighting chance in their current education and eventually in the workplace. This will enable them to improve the economic status of their families and eventually to inspire them to spread social good in their respective communities.”

In addition to supporting the SM Foundation’s programs on education, healthcare, and disaster response, The SM Store also implements regular corporate social responsibility programs to share happiness with communities through various donations such as Share your extras, Share shoes, Give a bookand Share a toy. Year-round, all branches house coin boxes for the benefit of the company’s partner organizations, such as UNICEF, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Good Neighbors Philippines and World Vision.