For many Filipino families, the neighborhood karinderya is more than a place to eat. It is a livelihood, a community hub, and often a family’s main source of income. Recognizing this, Hanabishi Appliances continues to invest in sustainable, grassroots entrepreneurship through its Kapartner sa Kabuhayan advocacy.
In partnership with K-COOP, Hanabishi once again supported Project Karinderya during the final quarter of 2025. The initiative aims to uplift small, community-based eateries while helping address food security in underserved areas. This renewed collaboration builds on earlier efforts made in the middle of the year and expands its reach to more families and communities.
Supporting Nanaypreneurs and Community Food Security
Hanabishi’s involvement in Project Karinderya reflects the brand’s long-standing commitment to Filipino households. Rather than focusing solely on product sales, the company positions itself as a partner in everyday living, particularly for small entrepreneurs who need practical support to grow their businesses.
“More than an appliance brand, Hanabishi is a trusted partner of Filipino families,” shared Cherish Ong-Chua, Vice President for Finance and Marketing of Hanabishi Appliances. “We are one with organizations like K-COOP in looking for ways to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to them, especially to the nanaypreneurs who need assistance in growing their karinderya business.”
The term nanaypreneur has become increasingly relevant in livelihood discussions, referring to mothers who manage small businesses while supporting their families. For many of them, access to reliable kitchen equipment can significantly impact daily operations, food quality, and income stability.
Expanding Impact in Rizal and Bulacan
Hanabishi first partnered with K-COOP earlier in 2025, initially distributing Karinderya Starter Kits to selected beneficiaries in August. By the last quarter of the year, the program scaled up its efforts.
A total of 30 karinderya owners in Rizal and Bulacan received new starter kits, allowing them to improve their operations and serve their communities more efficiently. Beyond supporting business owners, the program also helped feed 600 individuals for 30 days through meal subsidies.
Under Project Karinderya, community members received a ₱60 daily meal subsidy for one month. These subsidies were redeemable at participating karinderyas, ensuring that the support circulated within the local economy while providing food access to those who need it most.
What’s Inside the Hanabishi Karinderya Starter Kit
Each Karinderya Starter Kit was carefully curated to meet the daily needs of small food businesses. Instead of offering generic assistance, Hanabishi provided appliances that directly improve efficiency, food preparation, and customer service.
The kits included a Hanabishi electric fan, either model HISF180C or HISF180, to improve comfort in often warm cooking spaces. Cooking essentials such as a gas stove or an oven toaster were included, along with a rice cooker or pressure cooker to support daily meal preparation.
Additional equipment included a water dispenser with free water or a hand mixer and blender for food preparation. Depending on the kit, beneficiaries also received either a coffee maker or an airpot, allowing karinderya owners to expand their menu offerings and increase potential income.
These appliances help reduce operational strain while enabling small eateries to serve food more consistently and safely.
A Holistic Approach to Livelihood Support
Project Karinderya goes beyond providing equipment. One of its core strengths lies in its holistic design, which combines livelihood assistance with community nutrition and education.
Beneficiaries include vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating mothers, and low-income families. By directing meal subsidies to these groups, the program addresses immediate food needs while supporting local businesses.
Participating karinderya owners also undergo training and capability-building sessions. These cover essential topics such as food safety, proper nutrition, and customer service. Health cadets and monitoring teams are deployed to ensure that food quality standards are met and that program guidelines are followed.
This structure ensures that the initiative delivers long-term value rather than short-term relief.
Building Dignity Through Sustainable Livelihoods
At the heart of Hanabishi’s Kapartner sa Kabuhayan advocacy is a belief that sustainable progress begins with dignity. By equipping small entrepreneurs with tools, training, and consistent demand, the program enables families to build resilience and plan for the future.
“At Hanabishi, we believe that sustainable progress is rooted in dignity,” Ong-Chua emphasized. “Through our Kapartner sa Kabuhayan advocacy, we express our commitment to supporting livelihood programs that enable people to thrive and build resilience so that they can shape their future with pride.”
For business leaders and CSR practitioners, Hanabishi’s continued support for Project Karinderya offers a strong example of how private sector partnerships can empower communities. When livelihood programs are thoughtfully designed, they can strengthen local economies, improve food security, and create lasting social impact.