Giving back to the local community: global soup kitchens

2018 was a year of many milestones. We launched our Employee Impact Program, organized our first Hero Month, and our Berlin employees volunteered over 900 hours in a single month. Social responsibility has been an important pillar for us, and we want to make it part of everything we do.

As the end of the year drew closer, our global brands wanted to give something back to those who need it most. With a goal of feeding 600 people in need, the brands partnered with local soup kitchens and non profit organizations to make this happen.

How?

Actions took place in three countries around the world: Germany, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Teaming up with their top vendors, the three brands made a huge impact, feeding over 1000 homeless people and children in need across the second week of December 2018. We hope to grow the initiative in 2019, making it a yearly event with more countries taking part.

In Malaysia, foodpanda partnered with Kechara Soup Kitchen Malaysia, a local soup kitchen in Kuala Lumpur. On a wet rainy afternoon, the team fed over 450 people living in urban poverty, with food sponsored by 13 of its top partner restaurants.

This included Ayamas Malaysia, Baan 26, Damascus Restaurants, Dunkin Donuts Malaysia, Gong Cha, Malabar Palace, McDonald’s Malaysia, Mohammad Chow, Myeongdong Topokki, Nando’s Nasi Lemak Saleha, Pizza Hut & Texas Chicken Malaysia.

In Berlin, Lieferheld Germany fed over 300 people at the Berliner Stadtmission, a local soup kitchen that offers warm meals to homeless people, together with local partner vendor VADOLÌ.

As well as providing warm meals, Lieferheld also added a little sweet treat and gave out advent bags filled with chocolate.

Over 300 children were fed by the foodpanda Philippines team, in partnership with Elise Gaches Alabang, an orphanage for abused children in Manila. Food was provided by McDonald’s, California Pizza Kitchen and JuJu Eats.

“Food for the soul”

Sayantan Das, Managing Director at foodpanda Malaysia said: “This would not have been possible without the support of our partner restaurants, the guidance from Kechara Soup Kitchen and the teamwork and dedication from the foodpanda team. We look forward to doing more and giving back to the community in the upcoming year.”

“We are known to deliver food and satisfy people’s cravings – but helping and playing with the kids at Elise Gaches satisfied our hearts – the local soup kitchen was food for the soul,” said foodpanda Philippines Head of Marketing, Hans Felerino.

“In a metropolis like Berlin, there are many people who need help,” said Anne Büch, spokeswoman for Lieferheld. “We are very pleased to be able to make a small contribution and be a part of seeing the happy faces.”