Whole Planet Foundation is kicking off its 2015 Prosperity Campaign at
Whole Foods Market with the goal of raising $5 million for microlending
programs worldwide—enough to help 135,000 people lift themselves out of
poverty and start a new life.
“Microcredit offers many women living in poverty something they have
never had before—a chance to gain financial independence,” said Philip
Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation.
“A loan of just $200 is enough to help her launch or expand a home-based
business, earn a steady income and provide for her family. To put things
into perspective, that’s less than the average American family of four
spends each week on groceries alone.”*
Through March 31, shoppers across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. can find
hundreds of ways to join the campaign online and in Whole Foods Market
stores and communities:
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Participate in one of hundreds of in-store and community fundraising
events—from fashion shows and charity walks to bake sales and tasting
events. Check local store
calendars for upcoming events and details.
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Take home a copy of “Liberation Soup,” Whole Planet
Foundation’s new cookbook featuring authentic recipes from the
kitchens of women microentrepreneurs from 35 countries, who have
benefitted from the foundation’s support. Just $19.99 at Whole Foods
Market; $5 from every copy sold goes back to the foundation to help
fund more microloans.
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Donate at wholeplanetfoundation.org
or at store checkouts. Every Whole Foods Market store will collect
donations during a specific two-week window between Feb. 18 and March
31.
For the first time, online donors will also be able to direct their
dollars to fund microcredit in specific geographic regions via Whole
Planet Foundation’s new Power
of One tool. Donors can choose between microlending programs in
North America, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa,
Asia and the Middle East.
The online tool also shows donors how many people their contributions
will impact in their chosen region over several decades in the future.
For instance, a donation of $10 today to Whole Planet Foundation’s
portfolio in Africa will help more than 5,100 people by the year 2070,
based on historical data and past program successes.** Each donation
multiplies over time, as the loan is repaid and re-loaned again and
again.
Through $60 million in grants to microfinance institutions, Whole Planet
Foundation has funded 1 million microloans to individuals in 61
countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the U.S., serving a
total of 5 million people.
For more information about Whole Planet Foundation and the 2015
Prosperity Campaign, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org.
*USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food report for December 2014; cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/CostofFoodDec2014_0.pdf
**The impact of each single donation is calculated based on financial
metrics and historical data reported by Whole Planet
Foundation's microfinance partners by region. For more metrics and
information, visit: wholeplanetfoundation.org/our-impact/
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