Whole Planet Foundation Launches Annual Poverty Is Unnecessary Project
Partners commit $200,000 to alleviate global poverty through microcredit
This October, Whole Planet Foundation celebrates its global impact on poverty and the partners who further its 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 $200,000 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 $71 million to create 2.9 million microloans to entrepreneurs living below the poverty line. Whole Planet Foundation works in 17 U.S. cities — including Austin, where the foundation is headquartered —and in 72 other countries around the world. Microloans are small loans — with no formal contract or collateral — provided to microentrepreneurs for the chance to create or expand a home-based business and generate income through their own hard work and ingenuity. Through microfinance parters, the foundation has funded 15.9 million opportunities for entrepreneurs like Grace to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Learn more about Grace’s small shop and $85 microloan from microfinance partner GHAPE here.
Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation shares, “Our purpose is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs through small business loans. Currently, the average first loan size we fund in the United States is approximately $1,500 and the average first loan size across all of the countries where we are funding microcredit is just $180. These loans might seem small, but they give the world’s poorest people – mostly women – the chance to change their own lives. We know that poverty is unnecessary, these women know it, and our partners are investing in a future without poverty because they also know it to be true.“
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 its supplier partners, corporate partners, donors, volunteers, advocates and sponsors. This year’s generous Poverty Is Unnecessary Fund members are Alaffia, Cedar’s Mediterranean, Health-Ade Kombucha, Natural Vitality, RISHI Tea, Stacy’s, Surya Brasil and The Republic of Tea.
The 13th annual Poverty is Unnecessary Day will be celebrated with a Benefit & Auction at Fair Market in Austin, Texas. Whole Planet Foundation invites the public to join for an evening of global cuisine and drinks, entertainment, and shopping in a local and global marketplace of more than 100 auction items. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on travel, including a Fair Trade Safari to Kenya for two. All proceeds from the event will fund microcredit loans for impoverished entrepreneurs around the world, thanks to presenting sponsor PepsiCo Premium Natural Team through its next generation products including IZZE, Kevita, Naked Juice, Quaker, Starbucks, Tazo, Tropicana, Gatorade Organic, Near East, Maker Oats, O.N.E. Coconut Water and Yachak. Tickets are just $50 and can be purchased online. Those who cannot attend can participate in an online auction of travel experiences, like the Fair Trade Safari, or visit wholeplanetfoundation.org to make a one-time or monthly contribution.
Please join Whole Planet Foundation at Fair Market in Austin, Texas on October 25 to party with a purpose at its Annual Benefit & Auction, or learn more about how we are coming together to alleviate global poverty through microcredit by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org.
