THE United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Philippine’s largest bakery chain, Julie’s Bakeshop, have entered into an innovative partnership to fight hunger in the Philippines .
Julie’s Bakeshop is launching a new product called Julie’s Bayan Sliced Bread, and will donate two pesos to WFP for every loaf of Julie’s Bayan Sliced Bread sold.
While nationwide in scope, proceeds from this initiative will exclusively benefit school children in conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao through WFP’s Emergency School Feeding (ESF) programme, which provides on-site nutritious meals in targeted elementary schools in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao.
WFP implements its school feeding programmes in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education as well as the non-government organization Community Family Services International.
The ESF programme helps to bring children back to school after a protracted period of displacement in 2008/2009. With the participation of Parent-Teacher Associations, it promotes a sense of normalcy in the lives of the families of the school children and enhances their participation in class.
“Giving back to society is part of our corporate ethic at Julie’s Bakeshop, and this is shown by our latest partnership with the World Food Programme,” said Joseph R. Gandionco, president and CEO of Julie’s Franchise Corporation. [PR/WFP]
