From foot races and fashion shows to concerts and bake sales, Whole
Foods Market shoppers took part in thousands of events in March to raise
more than $7 million for Whole Planet Foundation. The events were all
part of Whole Planet Foundation’s 2014 Prosperity Campaign, a five-week
campaign to support the nonprofit’s efforts to alleviate global poverty
in communities that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products.
The foundation funds microlending programs in Africa, Asia and Latin
America to provide low-income individuals, mostly women, with an
opportunity to launch or expand a home-based business, and with the
chance to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, one
microloan at a time.
In addition to attending events, shoppers donated everything from pocket
change to full microcredit loan amounts of $200 at store checkouts, for
a total of $7.17 million. Whole Foods Market covers 100 percent of the
foundation’s operating costs, so every penny donated directly supports
micro-entrepreneurs.
“Small change makes a huge difference,” said Philip Sansone, president
and executive director of Whole Planet Foundation. “More than 40 percent
of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day, so every penny
makes a real impact. For a woman living in abject poverty, a $200
microloan is her ticket to a fresh start, a chance to gain financial
independence and an opportunity to provide for her family.”
To date, Whole Planet Foundation has committed $4 million to domestic
lending projects and a total of more than $48 million for microlending
projects in 59 countries including the U.S.
To spice up this year’s campaign, Whole Planet Foundation teamed up with Intrepid
Travel, one of the world’s leading small-group adventure travel
operators, to offer a chance to win a six-day trip to meet microcredit
clients in Mexico. The winner and her guest will join 12 Whole Foods
Market team members who won trips for their creativity and dedication to
the foundation’s mission of alleviating poverty worldwide.
For more information about the foundation or upcoming fundraising
opportunities, visit: wholeplanetfoundation.org.
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