Back to its roots: On its 65th year, SM provides shoes to Filipino schoolkids

Millions of children around the world walk barefoot, without access to decent footwear.

William Blischke, an American Sociology professor at the California State University Dominguez Hills, said in a study that 14 percent of the earth's inhabitants lack shoes or have inadequate footwear. In some developing countries, shoeless children cannot attend school because they may communicate and contract diseases from their foot sores. Hence, some international non-profit organizations say the lack of shoes is one of the most visible signs of poverty.

In the Philippines, a 2023 report by the Department of Education acknowledged Filipino children's lack of access to resources as among the most pressing issues in the basic education system. School shoes are an integral part of a student's uniform even in public schools; the lack of shoes will leave children ill-equipped to complete their education.

This is the challenge the SM Store intends to address through the Share Shoes campaign — to provide school shoes to poor Filipino students, in line with the celebration of SM's 65th founding anniversary.

With the help of its dedicated customers and partner-organizations, SM Store aims to donate more than 16,000 pairs of shoes to last-mile schools and communities in the country.

With a minimum of P3,000 single-receipt-spend

at any SM Store, a customer is entitled to donate a pair of shoes, originally retailing for P299, for only P65, and the customer will be considered a "Share Shoes Champion."

Dhinno S. Tiu, executive vice president of SM Store, explained the value and symbolism of shoes for both SM and its advocacy to support the community:

"Shoes have been the core of our business for over 65 years. Thus, giving out thousands of shoes to Filipino children who need them the most through the generosity of our customers is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to continue to live the legacy of sharing and giving back to our partner communities."

SM Store hopes that these pairs of shoes would help children toward a better life. Through the simple act of giving shoes to underprivileged kids, they may be able to learn, play and flourish in school. By protecting their young feet, they can confidently step, walk, run and leap toward their individual goals and dreams.

Customers may shop at their favorite SM Store from 1 September to 15 November 2023 to support a child in need. For only P65, help transform a life by being a "Share Shoes Champion."