Whole Planet Foundation Launches Annual Poverty Is Unnecessary Project

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 through microcredit in communities around the world where the company sources products.  The Poverty is Unnecessary Project spotlights Poverty is Unnecessary Fund supplier partners who collectively are committed to donating $250,000 and culminates in the foundation’s signature Annual Benefit and Auction via an online format. 

For the first time, you can join Whole Planet Foundation’s Party with a Purpose for free starting on October 19 to and help us celebrate 15 years of alleviating poverty. Bid on 75+ unique auction items in our local and global auction marketplace, including priceless artisan goods from communities around the globe where we fund microcredit. New items from donors are being added every day, so please register for free via to browse auction items, purchase a limited-edition Whole Planet Foundation t-shirt, share online using #partywithapurpose and help us reach people living in poverty with much-needed support during this time. 

After participating in the auction during the week, you are invited to join us for a brief program including a message from Whole Foods Market Chief Executive Officer John Mackey on Sunday, October 25th to celebrate the funding of Whole Planet Foundation on Poverty is Unnecessary Day. The auction will close at 8PM CST on Sunday, October 25.

Since inception, Whole Planet Foundation has disbursed more than $87 million to create 4.3 million microloans to entrepreneurs living below the poverty line. 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 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 partners, the foundation has created 22,800,000 opportunities for microentrepreneurs to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. 

As there is so much more work still to be done, and your help is needed, please join Whole Planet Foundation on October 25 or learn more by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org.