Stories of inspiration

Nourishing Young Lives: Thaison Volunteers Bring Care and Nutrition to RTS Light in Mabalacat City

February 18, 2026

On January 27, 2026, the Family Care Center (FCC) in Marcos Village, Mabalacat City, welcomed more than just a feeding activity. It welcomed hands ready to cook, voices ready to teach, and hearts ready to serve.

Through the Roots to Shoots (RTS) Light Program, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), with the support of Thaison Builders and Developer, Inc. (TBDI), Clark Development Corporation, Barangay Nutrition and Health Workers, FCC teachers, and parent volunteers, conducted a nutrition-focused feeding activity for 25 pre-school children aged three to five years old.

At the center of the activity were staff volunteers from Thaison Builders and Developer, Inc., who rolled up their sleeves early in the morning to help prepare and serve nutrient-rich meals for the children.

Volunteers in Action: From Kitchen to Story Circle

TBDI staff worked alongside Barangay Nutrition and Health Workers in preparing meals, applying proper hygiene practices and learning simple, affordable recipes that families can replicate at home. Their involvement was hands-on. They assisted in cooking, plating, and organizing the serving process to ensure that each child received a healthy meal.

When it was time to feed the children, the volunteers helped distribute meals and monitored intake, supporting both nourishment and care.

The engagement did not end after the last bite. As part of the post-feeding activities, Thaison volunteers led a storytelling session for the children. Sitting in a circle, they read and shared stories that reinforced positive values and healthy habits, transforming the space into one of learning and connection.

Building Healthy Foundations Early

The RTS Light Program aims to promote good nutrition among pre-school children while strengthening parental awareness of healthy feeding practices. Beyond providing meals, the initiative includes short, interactive nutrition education sessions for parents and caregivers, led by Barangay Nutrition and Health Workers.

PSFI served as the lead organizer, coordinating partners and ensuring smooth implementation. FCC teachers mobilized parents, while volunteers and health workers collaborated in cooking, serving, and clean-up. This shared effort reflects one of the program’s key objectives: strengthening community participation and ownership of nutrition and health initiatives.

A Shared Commitment to Community Health

By the end of the morning, what remained was not only the memory of a warm meal, but a stronger sense of partnership. The presence of Thaison Builders’ staff volunteers demonstrated how private sector engagement can meaningfully contribute to community well-being, not only through support, but through active participation.

Through RTS Light, children are nourished, parents are informed, and partners are united in a shared commitment to growing healthier communities, one meal and one story at a time.

With support from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) is helping communities in Bamban, Tarlac grow more than vegetables through the Roots to Shoots SACOBIA Program by cultivating food security, healthier lifestyles, and hands-on learning through school gardens.

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