PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 23, 2013) – To demonstrate Whole Foods Market’s commitment to the community, the company’s new Camelback store will donate five percent of the day’s net sales on Sept. 25 to Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, an organization dedicated to bringing the healing powers of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children and their families.

 Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that brings the healing powers of the creative arts to abused, neglected and homeless children by partnering with over 100 group homes, treatment centers and shelters in Maricopa County. Through programs that include a weekly mentor program, a professional artist series, free arts days and MAC Camp, children are given the chance to express their hopes, fears, frustrations and emotions through the creative arts.

 “Free Arts of Arizona’s commitment to providing creative arts programs for these children is truly inspiring.  Whole Foods Market is proud to support their efforts,” said Mike Hardy, store team leader for Whole Foods Market Camelback.  “We know this donation will help the organization create new programs to inspire and transform lives, and we invite everyone in the Phoenix community to come shop on Sept. 25, knowing their purchases will make a difference.”

 “We are so grateful to be selected as the recipient of the Whole Foods Market Camelback’s Community Giving Day,” said Maggie Cortez, development associate for Free Arts of Arizona.  “This contribution will allow us to continue offering our creative arts programs that give children a way to identify their emotions and express them through a positive medium.”

 Since opening the Tempe store in 1998, Whole Foods Market has given more than $100,000 to local Arizona-based community groups. Other recipients of Whole Foods Market’s 5% Community Days include: Eight, Arizona PBS, Arizona State Parks Foundation, Ear Candy, Tempe Leadership Society, Chandler Historical Society, Slow Food Phoenix, Phoenix Day, Arizona Musicfest, Xico, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Tempe Historical League.

 As part of its commitment to supporting local causes in the community in which it works, Whole Foods Market stores, nationwide, hold Community Support Days several times a year and donate five percent of that day’s net sales to a local nonprofit or educational organization.

 For additional information on Whole Foods Market’s Camelback store, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/camelback or to stay updated on grand opening events and activities, follow Whole Foods Market Camelback on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsMarketCamelbacktwitter.com/WFMcamelback and Instagram @WFMCamelback

 About Free Arts for Abused Children

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that brings the healing powers of the creative arts to abused, neglected and homeless children by partnering with over 100 group homes, treatment centers and shelters in Maricopa County.