Häagen-Dazs helps feed hungry minds

MANILA, Philippines - Häagen-Dazs recently held an activity and field trip for Food for Hungry Minds (FHM) students and teachers of the Makati and Malolos campuses at its Häagen-Dazs shop branch in SM Mall of Asia.

The event served as the culminating activity of the super-premium ice cream brand’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program last Christmas, when it gave one ice cream scoop for every Christmas creation and gift box sold from November to December 2010. The response from consumers though was so positive that Häagen-Dazs was able to give out two scoops instead of just one.

Made possible by Häagen-Dazs employees who gave their time and energy to plan and ensure that the students had fun while learning as they toured the third biggest mall in the world, the event evolved to include a fieldtrip, with SM Mall of Asia management providing a free screening for the children at IMAX, a tour of the Science Discovery Center and the ice skating rink. Afterwards, the kids headed to Museo Pambata and Rizal Park.

According to Cathy Sanchez-Castro, Häagen-Dazs brand manager, “Food for Hungry Minds is the beneficiary of a grant from the General Mills Foundation, and it is in fact one of the first in Asia to receive such a grant. General Mills believes in “Nourishing Lives” and one way to do this is by supporting Food for Hungry Minds, which provides quality education for children from indigent families.”

She continues, “Locally, we are amplifying our partnership through employee participation in different activities of beneficiary schools, as well as in tutorial programs. We go to the communities and help teach children the basic subjects like Math, English, and Science. We’ve been partnering with FHM since 2009 and will continue to support the cause in years to come.”