SPC Group bolstering social contribution

Paek Young-ho, third from right, managing director of Pascucci, a coffee house franchise, poses with officials from the Purme Foundation at the head office of the nonprofit organization in Jongno, central Seoul, April 3, after donating 300 snack sets to help the disabled. / Courtesy of Pascucci

By Park Ji-won

SPC Group, the nation’s leading food corporation, is boosting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities through its subsidiaries.

Last Wednesday, Pascucci, a coffee house franchise run by the group, delivered gift boxes to 300 children with disabilities in Jong-no, central Seoul, in celebration of Valentine’s Day and White Day. The gift boxes included biscuits, cups and letters from Pascucci customers to the children.

The event was held at the Purme Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps disabled people.

“I was at the event. When we gave the gifts, the children became greatly excited. Many parents thanked us. The foundation was delighted as well. The event was a very good opportunity to improve our CSR activities. We will continue to expand these activities,” said an official of Pascucci who declined to be named.

Later that day, the SPC Happy-Volunteer Group, the company’s regular volunteer activity group, held a baking class for the children and their families. This was followed by an SPC Happy-Family activity, aimed to provide moral and emotional support to families.

The group runs regular baking and coffee-making classes in the Purme building. It also donates 20 family travel packages twice a year.

An official of SPC said, “We aimed to make an event where families can relax and have fun through baking cakes. SPC will continue to hold this kind of program to make children with disabilities and their families happy.”

Last December, Pascucci donated cakes to street cleaners in Gangnam, where the coffee house has the most branches, and to underprivileged people nationwide. According to the company, the event was intended to show appreciation to people who work hard in every aspect of society.

“SPC group is increasing its CSR activities. Pascucci will continue to implement these activities every quarter. Each affiliate reflects the SPC Group’s CSR mission by serving cakes and coffee to the underprivileged. We will tighten our relationship with the Purme Foundation and diversify our CSR activities,” said Lee Eun-jin, a marketing official at Pascucci.