NEW YORK, NY (Sept. 16, 2015)— Whole Foods Market is excited to host its quarterly 5% Community Giving Day across all nine New York City stores during National Arts in Education Week, to recognize the role of arts in engaging and improving our communities. As part of Whole Foods Market’s deep commitment to its local communities, on September 16th, all nine stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, will be donating 5% of the day’s net sales to three local creative youth organizations that strive to promote social change and profound connections through the use of art-making events, classes, and public art displays – Groundswell, Slideluck, and Creative Art Works.

“Whole Foods Market is a proud supporter of the arts and we’re thrilled to be bringing together three organizations for a citywide 5% day,” said KAR, Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods Market Union Square. “These organizations have made a positive impact across our neighborhoods and we are honored to work with them to raise awareness and highlight the importance of encouraging social changes through art in New York City.” 

Shoppers making purchases on September 16th across Whole Foods Market locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn will be supporting these organizations and their missions:

Groundswell: New York City’s leading organization dedicated to community public art, brings together youth, artists, and community partners, to make public art that advances social change, for a more just and equitable world. Groundswell’s projects beautify neighborhoods, engage youth in societal and personal transformation, and give expression to ideas and perspectives that are underrepresented in the public dialogue. All proceeds will support Groundswell and their work to use art as a tool for social change.  www.groundswell.nyc 

Creative Arts Works: Creative Art Works provides dynamic visual arts and multimedia experiences to NYC youth who otherwise lack access to creative youth development. Our in-school and out-of-school-time classes, community art-making events, and public art youth employment programs build confidence, unlock a love of learning, and create profound connections between our young people and their communities. https://www.creativeartworks.org/

Slideluck: Slideluck is a non-profit dedicated to building and strengthening community through food and art. Using multimedia slideshows combined with potluck dinners, Slideluck has carved out a dynamic, inspiring and unique niche in over 100 cities worldwide. The Slideluck Youth Initiative fosters creative expressions and empowers underprivileged students through the use of photography and multimedia storytelling. https://slideluck.com/

Proceeds from Whole Foods Market’s nine New York City locations, including Bowery, Chelsea, Columbus Circle, Midtown East, Tribeca, Union Square, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Third and 3rd Brooklyn, will be shared equally among the three organizations. To find the Whole Foods market closest to you, click here.