Bangkok, 25 March 2013 – Groupon, the global pioneer and leader in social e-commerce, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, are launching a daily deal across Southeast Asia to support the empowerment of girls in Asia through school meals programmes.
From 25 March until 5 April 2013, Groupon will call on the general public to help provide a child with WFP school meals for four weeks and with a monthly ration to take home. 100 percent of donations go directly to WFP’s School Meals Programmes, implemented in 14 countries in Asia, including five countries in Southeast Asia.
Poverty and tradition often exclude girls from education; more than 36 million primary school-aged girls around the world don’t attend school. Combating hunger among children helps to improve school performance, close the gender gap in schools and empower girls by increasing their chances to have a brighter future.
One nutritious meal a day promotes regular attendance, as a poor family needs to provide one less meal per day for their children, and also offsets the cost of education. WFP seeks to increase the percentage of girls going to school through targeted interventions, such as take-home rations, which are given to girls in return for regular school attendance and which benefit the entire family.
“We appreciate Groupon’s continuing commitment to fighting hunger in Asia, which fortunately includes the Philippines,” said Asaka Nyangara, WFP Philippines Deputy Country Director. “In WFP’s work in disaster- and conflict-affected communities in the country, we have found that a school meal has been a good way to encourage parents to send their children back to school. Together with take-home rations, these meals can indeed be a powerful investment in these children’s futures.”
Commenting on the campaign, F. Patrick Cuartero, CEO of Groupon Philippines said, “We are proud to be part of this worthy cause which empowers girls and fights hunger in Asia. Our commitment to providing our subscribers with amazing life experiences goes beyond simply providing outstanding deals daily, but also to providing chances for them to make a difference in the lives of others. As we grow our support to the World Food Programme, not only are we fighting hunger, we are investing in Asia’s future.”
It only costs PhP10 to feed a child a school meal per day, so every donation makes a difference. To contribute to WFP for this initiative, starting on March 25, please visit http://bit.ly/Z68K6T
