To help alleviate hunger and malnutrition, Sodexo On-Site Services Philippines recently held its Servathon Program, an annual event that enables employees to volunteer their time in the service of a community by raising funds and donating food to various NGO partners in areas where Sodexo operates.
Across the world, Sodexo employees stand united to fight hunger and food insecurity. Servathon is a crucial building block of Sodexo’s Stop Hunger activities, and it is an essential part of Sodexo’s community service effort and part of its Corporate Responsibility initiative under the Better Tomorrow 2025 roadmap.
This year, Servathon was held across four locations in the Philippines. In Metro-Manila, Sodexo partnered with a non-government organization, Rise Against Hunger (RAH) in Taguig, while in other parts of the country, Sodexo partnered with Aeta Tribe Foundation in Porac, Pampanga; Casa Dei Bambini San Giuseppe in Silang, Cavite and Sisters of Mary School in Talisay City, Cebu.
Through the generosity of its employees, Sodexo raised P255,315 in cash and kind during the Servathon program. The partner NGOs lauded Sodexo’s Servathon program, saying it helps alleviates food insufficiency, particularly among underprivileged children.
The Sisters of Mary expressed gratitude to Sodexo for organizing such event that helps those in need. “We’re very thankful to Sodexo for having initiated this kind of program which has positively impacted the community,” the group said. Sodexo and Sisters of Mary conducted a training session focused on food safety standards, giving participants awareness on proper food handling to minimize food waste, thus creating awareness on addressing food wastage.
Rise Against Hunger also thanked Sodexo for its Servathon Program, appreciating the company’s initiative to feed and educate needy families. “Aside from giving free meals and grocery items to our beneficiaries in Taguig, they also incorporate health education in that very short period of time,” RAH said, adding that it expects more future partnerships with Sodexo when it comes to alleviating hunger.
Sodexo, in partnership with Aeta Tribe Foundation, engaged with groups of Aeta families in Porac, Pampanga by donating foodstuff and other essentials to help them meet their immediate sustenance needs. “The interactions we had with the Aeta community indeed touched our hearts, lifted the community members’ spirits, and gave them a sense of belonging and acceptance,” said Sodexo’s Pampanga team lead Analiza Mendoza.
As an integral part of its Better Tomorrow roadmap, Sodexo’s Servathon activities are designed to have a positive impact on the lives of those belonging to the underprivileged sections of society. Aside from enhancing employee volunteerism by reaching out to local communities, the multi-faceted program also helped raise awareness about safety in all its forms, and addressed hunger and malnutrition to promote quality of life.
“Fighting hunger and malnutrition is essential; at Sodexo; our actions go beyond food aid with one priority: empower women to eradicate hunger effectively and sustainably in communities most in need. If we take this responsibility together, the initiative has a sustainable and purposeful impact on the communities.” Sodexo’s Managing Director Paul Debaprateem said.
According to Paul, Stop Hunger relies on partnerships with hundreds of local and international NGOs and the unique ecosystem of Sodexo, its founding partner. “At Sodexo, we aim to build a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all,” said Paul, adding that the Servathon activity is a way to encourage their employees to give back to the local community and help improve Quality of Life.
Started in the United States by Sodexo employees in 1996, Stop Hunger has now expanded to 41 countries with 82,000 volunteers composed of Sodexo employees, their families and friends, clients, consumers and suppliers.
To date, Stop Hunger has distributed six million meals and collected nearly US$6.3 million in collaboration with local NGOs and associations.
