Whole Planet Foundation Poverty Is Unnecessary Partners Commit $350,000 to Alleviate Global Poverty
Each October, Whole Planet Foundation celebrates its global impact on poverty and the partners who further our mission. In 2005, Whole Foods Market launched Whole Planet Foundation, its non-profit dedicated to global poverty alleviation in communities around the world where the company sources products. The Poverty is Unnecessary Project spotlights Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners, who collectively are committed to donating $350,000 to alleviate poverty through microloans, and culminates in the foundation’s signature event of the year on October 25, known as Poverty is Unnecessary Day.
Since inception, Whole Planet Foundation has funded more than $87 million to create 4.3 million microloans for impoverished entrepreneurs. Whole Planet Foundation works in 25 communities in 19 U.S. cities — including Austin, where the foundation is headquartered —and in 76 other countries around the world. Microloans are small loans — with no formal contract or formal collateral — provided to microentrepreneurs for the chance to create or expand a business and generate income through their own hard work and ingenuity. Through our network of microfinance partners, the foundation has funded 22.8 million opportunities for entrepreneurs like Candelaria to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Learn more about Candelaria and her loan from our microfinance partner in Guatemala, Friendship Bridge.
Poverty is Unnecessary Day is a reason for millions around the world to celebrate an opportunity for a better life. On this day Whole Planet Foundation also celebrates our supplier partners, corporate partners, donors, volunteers, advocates and sponsors. This year’s generous Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members are Alaffia, Ben & Jerry’s, Cedar’s Foods, Health-Ade Kombucha, Lundberg Family Farms, Near East, Pact, Primal Kitchen, San Pellegrino, Schmidt’s, Shea Moisture, Sir Kensington’s, Tazo and The Republic of Tea.
"We are so proud to partner with and be supported by the suppliers in our Poverty is Unnecessary Fund who collectively will help provide 10,500 opportunities for entrepreneurs and their families to have a chance to lift themselves out of poverty through creating or expanding a microbusiness, " said Joy Stoddard, development and outreach director for Whole Planet Foundation. “Capital for microcredit is needed now more than ever.” Learn more about Alaffia, Ben & Jerry’s, Cedar’s Foods, Health-Ade Kombucha, Lundberg Family Farms, Near East, Pact, Primal Kitchen, San Pellegrino, Schmidt’s, Shea Moisture, Sir Kensington’s, Tazo and The Republic of Tea through this Whole Planet Foundation blog post.
The Poverty Is Unnecessary Project includes an Online Auction & Celebration starting October 19 and culminating in a virtual program on October 25 on Poverty Is Unnecessary Day, including a video message from Whole Foods Market Chief Executive Officer John Mackey. Online auction participants will have the opportunity to bid on 75+ items from our local and global marketplace. All proceeds from the event will fund microcredit loans for impoverished entrepreneurs around the world, thanks to Gold sponsor KeVita. Registration is free and you can even purchase a friendship bracelet from Friendship Bridge microcredit client. One lucky purchaser will also be awarded a white gold diamond bracelet valued at $2,100, generously donated by Franzetti Jeweler’s in Austin, Texas.
Please join Whole Planet Foundation on October 25 to Party with a Purpose through our online auction, or learn more about how we are coming together to alleviate global poverty through microcredit by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org.
