AUSTIN, Texas (Jan. 7, 2014) – More than 4,570 people around the world will have a chance to lift themselves out of poverty and change their own lives through microcredit – thanks to Whole Planet Foundation’s 2014 Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners. These 16 like-minded companies each give $50,000 annually to support the foundation’s poverty alleviation programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and in the U.S.
“For a woman living in extreme poverty, a $200 loan is enough to help her get ahead by launching or expanding her home-based business so that she can gain financial independence and provide basic needs for her children,” said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. “Thanks to the generous support of our Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners, we will be able to empower thousands of women around the world with a chance to shape a brighter future for their entire families.”
Whole Foods Market® established Whole Planet Foundation in 2005. Through grants to microfinance partners, the foundation funds small loans to individuals living in impoverished communities where the grocer sources products.
To date, Whole Planet Foundation has authorized $41 million and funded more than $29 million in microfinance programs in 58 countries, positively impacted more than 1.95 million people worldwide.
Whole Planet Foundation’s 2014 Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners are:
· Alaffia
· Allegro Coffee Company
· BlueAvocado
· Frontier Co-op
· Garden of Life
· Hain Celestial
· Hint
· IZZE Sparkling Juice
· PACT
· Rescue Remedy
· Rishi Tea
· Sambazon
· Seventh Generation
· Teas’ Tea/Ito En
· Traditional Medicinals
· Whole Foods Market
For more information about Whole Planet Foundation and its 2014 Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org.
