Whole Foods Market has long been committed to giving back to the communities where we do business.  Launched in 2005, our nonprofit, Whole Planet Foundation, takes that mission globally -- empowering the poor in developing-world communities to lift themselves out of poverty through microcredit loans.

Why microcredit? Microcredit sparks change by providing the poor with a viable chance to lift themselves out of poverty through their own hard work and ingenuity. Simply put, the impact of a handout is short-lived, but the power of a helping hand is infinite.

In just five, short years, Whole Planet Foundation has helped more than 224,000 poor entrepreneurs in 54 countries to improve their own lives through microcredit, positively impacting more than a million people worldwide. To date, the nonprofit has authorized more than $32 million and committed more than $20 million to through microlending partners worldwide.

Whole Foods Market covers all operating costs for Whole Planet Foundation, so 100 percent of each donation funds microlending projects around the world. Typical microcredit clients use loans – usually less than $200 each – to start home-based businesses, from tailoring and producing artisan goods to small-scale farming.

Foundation director Philip Sansone or Joy Stoddard, partnership development and internal programs director for Whole Planet Foundation, are eager to share more information about the foundation and its mission, including client profiles and stories from the field. Their stories and that of the Whole Planet Foundation are not only intriguing; they’re the kind of stories that challenge you to look inside yourself to answer the question, “Why am I here?”

While Whole Foods Market has contributed more than $8 million to the foundation’s efforts so far, our shoppers are Whole Planet Foundation’s strongest supporters. Through the nonprofit’s annual fundraising campaign, in-store events, online donations and more, shoppers have given more than $10 million to support the nonprofit’s work.

Six Easy Ways to Make a Global Impact:

1. Make a donation online at wholeplanetfoundation.org and at store check outs. 100% of all donations go to microlending programs because Whole Foods Market covers the foundation’s operating expenses.

2. Buy a Whole Planet Foundation gift card. A $1 donation is added to the face value of each card purchased.

3. Create an online donation profile and raise a loan to change lives. (Average first loan size is $133)

4. Attend fundraising events at Whole Foods Market stores – from wine tastings and garage sales to charity races, fashion shows and microbrew tastings – the opportunities are endless!

5. Buy a tin of Allegro® Whole Planet Foundation coffee: 30 cents of every can purchased funds microlending projects. Available in three blends – East Africa, India and Latin America.

6. Opt for Whole Trade® products like fresh flowers, mangoes, bell peppers and drinking chocolates; when you choose Whole Trade, a percentage of sales goes to support the foundation.

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