Various SM malls in the province of Bulacan did one last Christmas donation effort when they played Santa and spread hope and good cheer to about 2,300 underprivileged families through its Christmas Kalinga donation drive held recently.
The Christmas Kalinga donation drive provided essential items to residents and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent natural calamities. The initiative is a joint project of SM Supermalls, SM Retail, SM Markets, and the SM Foundation.
A sum of 600 Christmas Kalinga packs was distributed by SM City Marilao in Sitio Dulo (Matadero) Abangan Sur in Marilao.
The recipients, who were pre-identified by the local government units and municipal social welfare and development offices in the province, came from the poorest and most displaced families living in slum areas.
SM City Baliwag, with the assistance of soldiers from the 48th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion of the Philippine Army (main photo), distributed at least 600 Christmas Kalinga packs to the indigenous community, mostly families from the Dumagat tribe nestled in Barangay Kabayunan in Doña Remedios Trinidad.
The Christmas Kalinga packs contained bottled water and other food essentials.
The mall likewise distributed additional 400 Christmas Kalinga packs to the economically disadvantaged communities in Baliwag such as Barangay Poblacion, Tibag and Bagong Nayon.
Rounds of relief operations, on the other hand, were also conducted by SM City San Jose Del Monte and SM Center Pulilan in Muzon and Sto. Cristo.
A total of 200 Christmas kalinga packs were distributed by SM City San Jose Del Monte to families living near Muzon Eco Park while SM Center Pulilan gave 500 packs to residents of Brgy. Sto Cristo in Pulilan.
Ensuring that no child goes without experiencing the joy of Christmas, employees at SM City Baliwag also pooled in their resources to bringing treats, toys and SM Bears of Joy for the Dumagat children. The donations aimed to bring happiness to children in less fortunate areas of the province.
“Christmas is the time for solidarity and generosity. After experiencing great adversities this year, this is the time for us to give hope and reach out to those in need. It is through our converged effort that we can make this possible,” shares SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.