SM is launching an expanded Share Shoes program this October through the SM Store to support underprivileged students, aligned with the 100th birth anniversary of its founder, Mr. Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr.
The program will benefit 20,000 kids from 100 public schools nationwide, from the previous year’s 16,000 from 80 public schools. It will be coordinated through 100 partner organizations and beneficiaries. A key element of the program involves the participation of SM Store customers themselves: For a minimum PHP3,000 single-receipt purchase, customers have the opportunity to sponsor a brand-new pair of shoes for a student for only PHP100.
A decent pair of shoes makes a difference in the lives of many Filipino school children. In 2023, the Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies reported that poverty remains a major barrier to education, with many Filipino children lacking even the basic necessities like proper footwear.
