THROUGH the years, as SM mall is constructed in an area, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) also finds its way to the community, spreading SM's arm of assistance to the less fortunate.
The Foundation has become SM's way of giving back, giving face to the company's emphasis on corporate social responsibility.
In all 28 SM Supermalls nationwide, the Foundation has dedicated itself to year-long projects like scholarships, school donations, outreach programs, health-oriented activities and religious community projects.
In Davao alone, SM Foundation has 21 college scholars. In the nearby provinces, SMFI has already gone as far as Talaingod in the north, Cateel in Davao Oriental, and has reached out even to the indigenous tribes of Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur to donate books, clothing or medicines.
As SM continues to commit itself to quality service in the community, it furthers its involvement, magnifying its brand of service beyond the usual tide of doing business.
Today, SM has dedicated its malls to making each a more family-oriented, more environment-friendly and a more accessible facility to different sectors of society.
Last year, SM Supermalls has started its partnership with Unicef, and committed to put up Breastfeeding Stations in all its malls.
These facilities now give nursing moms a more relaxing place to bond with their babies, allowing feeding time to be more comfortable for Mom and baby.
SM also puts emphasis in giving priority to our elderly. More resting areas are in-place at mall areas. At SM Supermarket Davao, a special cashier lane, Lane 14, is dedicated to senior citizens.
Wheelchairs may also be requested for a more comfortable grocery trip for the elderly.
Basic needs are of course offered with discounts, including medicines, food and movie tickets. Every Tuesday in Davao City, a free movie ticket is given for each of the first ten senior citizen moviegoers for the day.
For more than two years now, SM has hosted "Nay, Tay, Mag-Exercise Ta" fitness program of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs at the Parking A every Sunday.
SM has also institutionalized its involvement and influence in waste management.
A monthly Waste Market Fair will now be conducted in all SM Malls. SM City Davao's launch last June 30, together with the Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., has collected more than 17,000 kilos of scrap and reusable materials.
Davao's Waste Market Fair will now be done every last Saturday of the month.
It is also worthy to note SM Supermarket's Green Bag Campaign at the grocery and the mall's water treatment facility to purify used water before release to the city sewers.
Also, SM City Davao will soon use waterless urinals in its comfort rooms, as now done is a number of SM malls.
This July, as we celebrate once again the nationwide Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation month, SM readies its facilities to better accessibility and ultimately make each mall a barrier-free, non-handicapping place for the differently-abled.
At SM City Davao, more parking lots for the differently-abled will be available, designs of handle bars in comfort rooms and ramps are being improved. Telephone booths are now being lowered for easy access of the physically impaired.
By adapting all these practices, SM has spelled for the Filipinos a new brand of service in the mall and retail business -- integrating corporate social responsibility not only through its charity arm but more importantly to the way it does business. This is among SM's continuing efforts in responding to the evolving needs of the Filipino consumers and their communities.
