Shoppers donate $6.26 million to give opportunity around the globe

AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 226,000 people around the world will have a chance for a better life, thanks to shoppers who donated more than $6.26 million to Whole Planet Foundation during the nonprofit's five-week Prosperity Campaign.

From Feb. 20 to March 31, shoppers donated at the checkouts at all of Whole Foods Market's more than 345 locations, as well as online at: wholeplanetfoundation.org. Customers also participated in hundreds of in-store events – from fashion shows and art auctions to bake sales and live concerts – all supporting the foundation's efforts to fund poverty alleviation worldwide where Whole Foods Market sources products.

Through grants to microfinance institutions in the U.S. and in 54 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, the foundation currently funds microcredit to more than 260,000 clients with a repayment rate of 97 percent.

"For a woman living in abject poverty, a loan as small as $200 is enough to provide her with an opportunity to get ahead: to start her own home-based business, create a steady stream of income and have the chance to lift herself and her family out of poverty," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director of Whole Planet Foundation. "Through their generous support, Whole Foods Market shoppers sent microentrepreneurs a very clear and powerful message during this campaign – 'we care.'"

To spice up this year's campaign, Whole Planet Foundation teamed up with Intrepid Travel to offer fundraisers a chance to win a trip to meet microcredit clients in Morocco. Entrants created online fundraising campaigns and raised both dollars and awareness for the foundation for a chance to win.

Kael Robinson of Denver, Colorado won the contest with her "Live Worldly" campaign, which included a bake sale, tavern event, casino birthday party and global fashion product sales that all benefited the foundation. She and her guest will travel to Morocco to enjoy the country's sights, sounds and flavors and witness the power of microcredit firsthand.

To date, Whole Planet Foundation has committed more than $34 million and disbursed $24 million worldwide, supporting more than 1.5 million people with a chance for a better life.

For more information about the foundation or upcoming fundraising opportunities, visit: wholeplanetfoundation.org.

Contact: [email protected]
512. 542.0682

SOURCE Whole Planet Foundation

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