Whole Planet Foundation Celebrates 12th Anniversary With Poverty Is Unnecessary Benefit & Live Auction

On October 25, Whole Foods Market will celebrate the 12^th anniversary of Whole Planet Foundation, the company’s nonprofit dedicated to global poverty alleviation.  Poverty is Unnecessary Day marks the launch of the foundation in 2005 to alleviate poverty around the world where the company sources products. Joining this effort are Poverty is Unnecessary Fund^® partners, who collectively are committed to donating $300,000 this year.

New to this year’s celebration, Whole Planet Foundation is holding a Benefit & Live Auction at Fair Market in Austin, Texas to support more impoverished entrepreneurs around the world with the opportunity for a better life.  Tickets can be purchased online for an evening of live music, microcredit client food trucks, small plates by local female chefs, complimentary cocktails, a silent auction of over 100 items from local and global marketplaces, a live auction including a Whole Planet Foundation trip abroad and more. Those who can’t make it but want to make a donation can visit wholeplanetfoundation.org to make a one-time or monthly contribution.

Since inception, Whole Planet Foundation has funded more than $65 million in small loans to microentrepreneurs living below the poverty line in 17 U.S. cities and 68 other countries through 2.3 million microcredit loans disbursed to date. Microcredit is a small loan - with no formal contract or collateral - provided to entrepreneurs for the chance to create or expand a home-based business and generate income through their own hard work and ingenuity. In total, the foundation has funded 12.4 million opportunities for people like Mariatou to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation shares, “Through twelve years of providing financial inclusion, we continue to witness how valuable it is to serve the underserved.  Currently, the average first loan we fund is $184.  These loans might seem small, but they give a family the chance to change their own lives.  We’re grateful to our microfinance partners and to our donors – big and small – for believing that poverty is unnecessary.“

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 donors who have committed $25,000 this year to the nonprofit organization.  This year’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members are Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Greyston Bakery, High Brew Coffee, Natural Vitality, Reserveage, Rishi Tea, WTRMLN WTR, The Republic of Tea, Stacy’s, Steaz and Surya Brasil and VOSS Water.

Please join the foundation by partying with a purpose at the Benefit & Live Auction on October 25, or by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org.