Helping solve hunger. The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), in partnership with Kawa Pilipinas, actively addresses hunger by providing hot meals to homeless individuals in the Philippines. Since its establishment in 2020, Kawa Pilipinas has served over 315,000 meals.
MANILA, Philippines. 16 July 2024 – Hunger remains a critical issue in the Philippines. Despite being an agricultural country, access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food is a challenge requiring urgent solutions. A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations notes that 44.7% of the Philippine population faces moderate or severe food insecurity.
The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group, collaborates with several partners, including Kawa Pilipinas Foundation Inc., to tackle this crisis.
“Fighting hunger is an advocacy close to our hearts. We are committed to increasing access to food by partnering with organizations that can help us reach the farthest and most marginalized communities,” said Jollibee Group Foundation President Gisela Tiongson.
Value of partnerships
Kawa Pilipinas founder Mae Paner emphasizes the importance of public-private cooperation in addressing hunger: “The government cannot do it alone. They need help.”
Since August 2020, JGF has regularly supplied congee mixes and other food items to Kawa Pilipinas, supporting its mission to feed the hungry. “JGF has been a significant source of help and inspiration for us to keep going. Their trust validates our commitment to serving those in need,” Paner said.
The power of food
Established in August 2020, Kawa Pilipinas provides hot meals to homeless individuals and those in need. The initiative started during the pandemic, with Paner setting up a kitchen in her Makati home to sustain feeding programs despite community quarantine restrictions.
To date, Kawa has served over 315,000 meals to its beneficiaries, affectionately called “beloveds.” Paner views food as an expression of love, stating, “Good food nourishes the body, and when it comes from the right intentions, it nourishes the soul.”
Beyond addressing hunger, the initiative has been transformational for its volunteers. “Kawa strengthens camaraderie, self-confidence, and compassion among volunteers, connecting them deeply with the communities they serve,” Paner added.
Best practices in fighting hunger
JGF also promotes food access through programs focused on agro-entrepreneurship, education, and disaster response. Its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) and FoodAID initiatives were recognized by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in 2022 as best practices contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 1: Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
JGF’s FoodAID program has provided 12.82 million meals since 2020, with 105 partners supporting 92 cities and municipalities across the Philippines. This includes 3.12 million meals served in 2023 alone, ensuring immediate food access for calamity-affected communities.

JGF and Kawa Pilipinas feed diverse groups, including the elderly, youth, and persons with disabilities, through their collaborative efforts.

JGF and Kawa Pilipinas unite to provide hot meals for the homeless, as part of JGF’s FoodAID program.