Cover Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
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Here's how you can help Starbucks community store in its initiative to aid poverty-stricken communities
Starbucks Philippines is a staunch supporter of youth education. In 2023, the company launched its inaugural community store in Binondo, where customers can contribute directly to scholarships funded by the company. This year, the café has brought its initiatives to Masilyo Circle in Mandaluyong City.
A portion of the proceeds from the Starbucks community store in Masilyo Circle will support Mano Amiga Philippines, an organisation dedicated to enhancing education for children from low-income communities.
“We really try to look at what communities are underprivileged in Metro Manila. Through our partnership with Mano Amiga, we have identified which [groups] are underserved,” says Jamie Silva, the senior manager for marketing.
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Above Jamie Silva explains the concept of Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Jamie Silva explains the concept of Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
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Founded by Lynn Pinugu, Mano Amiga’s vision is to provide equal access to quality education in the Philippines. The organisation serves as a development centre that provides students and their families with sustainable livelihood opportunities, basic health services, and other necessary support to help them build a better life.
Noey Lopez, the president of Starbucks Philippines, explains that Mano Amiga’s goals are aligned with those of the coffee company. “We are thrilled to work with Mano Amiga for our second Community Store, as their mission aligns with our values and commitment to advancing youth education in the communities we serve. Through this meaningful partnership, we are helping to create a brighter future for the Filipino youth.”
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What is a Starbucks community store?
This new initiative-driven store in Masilyo Circle joins the global network of 200 more Starbucks community stores. “This is a global and regional concept—when we opened the first one in Tondo, we were thinking of a cause to support,” explains Silva.
She adds that poverty is among the pressing issues in the Philippines. “One sustainable solution to this is actually education; so it started from there,” she says. “Right now, our store in Tondo is doing really well and we duplicated that concept to Masilyo Circle, only here there is an upgrade: the community library.”
Above Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Above Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
1 / 2
Above Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Above Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
Help students from low-income families one coffee at a time. Visit the new Starbucks community store (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
1 / 2
The idea of a Starbucks community store is simple: every purchase directly benefits the communities it serves. “The portion of the sales that comes from the store directly benefits the community through our partner organisation. So, what the Starbucks community store does is that it financially supports this cause. We consider it a scaled investment that depends on the community’s needs.”
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Above A small library inside the Starbucks community store in Masilyo Circle, Mandaluyong (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
A small library inside the Starbucks community store in Masilyo Circle, Mandaluyong (Photo: Starbucks Philippines)
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Helping communities brings a sense of camaraderie among members of the Starbucks team and their customers. “Down the road, we can look at community service and volunteerism, if that’s the way to make them feel involved,” says Silva.
Starbucks Philippines also partnered with Gawad Kalinga to bring Kusina ng Kalinga+ to Welfareville. This initiative empowers local parent volunteers to prepare nutritious meals for children in public schools. In partnership with The Starbucks Foundation, Starbucks has provided over 236,000 meals across the country since 2022, and starting this October, they will support 200 children in this community through this initiative.
The Starbucks Maysilo Circle Community Store is now open from Monday to Sunday, 6.30am to 12mn via dine-in and take-out.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
