AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 22, 2015) – On Oct. 25, Whole Foods Market will celebrate Poverty is Unnecessary Day in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Whole Planet Foundation’s launch. Select Whole Foods Market stores will host scavenger hunts, product demos, documentary screenings, and will give away prizes via social media to spotlight the foundation’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund® partners, who collectively have donated $375,000 this year.
In the past decade, Whole Planet Foundation has funded more than $67 million in small loans to microentrepreneurs in 14 U.S. cities, and in 67 other countries, with 1.2 million microloans. In total, the foundation has supported 6.3 million people, giving them the chance to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
“What a great opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the day Whole Foods Market and its shoppers created the seed capital for Whole Planet Foundation, and to celebrate our Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners for furthering our ability to reach the world’s poorest people,” said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. “The current first average microloan size in the developing world is $187, which a family can use to begin its climb out of poverty. Together we can all invest in a future without poverty. We are grateful to our donors for joining this mission.”
This year’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members are Café Spice, CLIF Bar, CorePower Yoga, Feelgoodz, Food Should Taste Good, Greyston Bakery, Jarrow, LÄRABAR, Liberté, Mamma Chia, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, Navitas Naturals, Nubian Heritage, ORGANIC INDIA, The Republic of Tea, Stacy’s, and Steaz.
On Oct. 25, 2005, Whole Foods Market seeded Whole Planet Foundation, whose mission is to alleviate global poverty through microcredit, 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 can visit their local Whole Foods Market store page for a list of events happening in their community. For more information about Whole Planet Foundation, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org.
