UFS, WFP join hands to boost school meals for 40,000 students in Central Mindanao

MANILA – Through its innovative “Sandwich Heroes” campaign, Unilever Food Solutions, a subsidiary of Unilever, has raised Php 400,000 in thePhilippines for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The donation will allow WFP to feed 40,000 children under its school meals programme in conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao,particularly in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.

“We are very grateful to Unilever for its longstanding partnership with WFP in the Philippines, including its latest creative efforts to help raise awareness of the issue of hunger in the country,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

“The funds Unilever has donated will help WFP and its government counterparts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education,provide hot nutritious meals for children in remote, conflict-affected areas.”     

Thirteen restaurants took part in Unilever Food Solution’s pioneering project, which involved each restaurant offering their signature or best sandwiches for thecampaign. Unilever Food Solutions made a donation to WFP for each featured sandwich sold from October 2011 to January 2012.    

Bigg’s Diner, Cibo, The Coffee Experience, CoffeeBreak, Figaro, HotShots, JD Bakeshop, KFC, Mushroomburger, The Flying Pig, Holy Cow, The Sandwich Guy and Wham! Burgers all participated in the campaign.

“We’d like to thank our partner establishments for making our ‘Sandwich Heroes’initiative a great success. We’re very proud to help feed 40,000 children in Central Mindanao,” said Unilever Food Solutions Managing Director Pinky Laurena.

“While this is just a pilot programme, what we already achieved here in thePhilippines has caught the attention of other Unilever offices globally. Now, the Philippines effort has become an example for other countries to emulate, so we’re planning to expand this ‘Sandwich Heroes’ campaign this year,” she added. 

Unilever has contributed to WFP and its fight against hunger in the Philippines since 2008. Globally, Unilever has been a WFP corporate partner since December 2006, donating a total of US$17.7 million to support WFP’s work around the world.