AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 24, 2016) – On Oct. 25, Whole Foods Market will host Poverty is Unnecessary Day to commemorate Whole Planet Foundation’s 11th anniversary and celebrate the nonprofit’s work to alleviate poverty worldwide through microcredit. Select Whole Foods Market stores will host events, supplier donor product demos and will give away prizes via social media to spotlight the foundation’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund® partners, who have collectively committed to donating $200,000.
New to this year’s celebration, Whole Planet Foundation will partner with multiple stakeholders to host a 25-hour online fundraiser with a goal of $10,000 to empower microentrepreneurs around the world with the opportunity for a better life. Starting at 11 p.m. CDT on October 24 through midnight on October 25, online donors who contribute at wholeplanetfoundation.org will receive special digital coupons from Whole Foods Market supplier partners.
Since its inception, Whole Planet Foundation has funded more than $58 million in small loans to microentrepreneurs living below the poverty line in 14 cities in the U.S. and 67 other countries. In total, the foundation has funded 1.5 million microloans creating 8.4 million opportunities for people around the globe to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
“As the anniversary of the day Whole Foods Market shoppers created the seed capital for Whole Planet Foundation, Poverty is Unnecessary Day is a reason for millions around the world to celebrate an opportunity for a better life,” said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. “On this day we also honor our Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners who play a significant role in helping us reach the world’s poorest people by contributing $25,000 a year to fund microloans. Currently, the average first loan we fund in developing communities is $184. We are grateful to our donors for joining us in our mission.”
This year’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners are Muir Glen, Greyston Bakery, LÄRABAR, Liberté, The Republic of Tea, Stacy’s, ONEHOPE Foundation, WTRMLN WTR, VOSS Water and Steaz.
On Oct. 25, 2005, Whole Foods Market seeded Whole Planet Foundation with a companywide Community Giving Day. On that day, Whole Foods Market stores donated 5 percent of the day’s net sales, resulting in $525,000 to launch the foundation’s poverty alleviation programs in communities where the company sources products.
Shoppers interested in participating in Poverty is Unnecessary Day and getting involved with Whole Planet Foundation can join the 25-hour fundraiser and visit wholeplanetfoundation.org.
