The country’s on-demand food delivery service and its compassionate riders readily extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent typhoons that devastated Bicol and Bulacan. To help, foodpanda has put up donation drives and mobilized the repacking, delivery, and distribution of relief goods through the help of its riders as volunteers and be Lit Pandas.

“It has been a regular event for the Naga riders to conduct charity drives/events and help the community in times of need,” said Luis Ferrer, foodpanda Naga City Manager. 

While Bicolanos embody the local “oragon” spirit that is dauntless and strong, the recent string of calamities has disturbed and disrupted the residents’ path to recovery, making it more difficult for them to bounce back. Dedicated to help them in the process is foodpanda,  as its latest outreach program exemplified the company’s commitment in making a difference in every opportunity, especially the ones that concern people’s lives and welfare.

Image from foodpanda

Through proper coordination with local government units, foodpanda identified and focused on two citizen groups in Bicol that needed the most help. In Legazpi City, the program specifically targeted 150 street sweepers and garbage collectors who also serve as frontliners during the pandemic. Meanwhile, in Naga City, there were 150 residents in Barangay Triangulo that were found to have limited access to relief packages.

foodpanda organized twin events on November 15 to cater to both groups. One was in the morning, which was dedicated to the street sweepers and garbage collectors in Albay, who were provided with grocery packages that included rice, canned goods, noodles, water, toiletries, as well as packed lunches. In the afternoon, the same relief package was distributed to the residents of Barangay Triangulo in Naga City. 

Aside from the beneficiaries, foodpanda surprised its 40 rider-volunteers who participated in the events with grocery packages and packed lunches as well.

“We at foodpanda are thankful that despite their difficulties, they are still willing to extend their help to our fellow Bicolanos,” Ferrer said.

According to Joie Elfren Moratin, foodpanda Legazpi City Manager, the initiative was more than an outreach program. The goal is to make a difference in whatever opportunity that may arise. 

“It was a heart-warming experience,” he said. “This is something I will definitely go back to over and over again. Our goal is to improve the lives of the community where we do business because this is a place we call home.”

Meanwhile, one of the many areas in central Luzon that was severely hit by the typhoons was Bulacan. A province that’s home to many  talented and fierce heroes, foodpanda has also rolled out an outreach program to help 200 residents of two areas in the province.

Through the help of rider-volunteers in Bulacan, foodpanda distributed relief packages to 100 residents of San Jose Del Monte on the morning of November 21. Later that afternoon, another batch of 100 people from Barangay Atlag in Malolos received the same assistance from foodpanda.

Image from foodpanda

Barangay Atlag is a small and remote town in Malolos that became inaccessible due to severe flooding. However, foodpanda was able to reach the area and its residents shortly after Typhoon Ulysses left the country.

“It’s been an honor to be part of this activity since we really wanted to do our part in the community,” said Lee Enriquez, foodpanda Bulacan City Manager. “Helping our people in San Jose Del Monte and Malolos, with the help from the LGUs, was really special for all the Ka-Pandas here in Bulacan.”

Through its commitment to igniting a culture of giving and serving, foodpanda delivers kutitap (light) and cheer by providing food and volunteer services in the communities that they belong to.