Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
Involving Team Members in the mission of the Whole Planet Foundation is an opportunity to live out the core purpose of the company, extending love and compassion to the whole world.
Whole Foods Market
Involving Team Members in the mission of the Whole Planet Foundation is an opportunity to live out the core purpose of the company, extending love and compassion to the whole world. Team Members are contributing to this mission by educating other team members, our customers and others about global poverty, raising funds for the mission or volunteering in the Whole Foods Market Team Member Volunteer Program.
"Whole Planet Foundation means that we can all make a difference by providing funds for this
program. I am looking forward to participating in the Team Member volunteer program next year."
Milton is one of the top 3 fundraisers at Jamboree for the 2010 WPF Prosperity Campaign.
Nick is a produce team leader from Harry's Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market's Cobb location. He participates in team member giving to fund microlending programs through Whole Planet Foundation because "With Whole Planet Foundation we fight poverty around the world, and encourage our team members to be considerate of people less fortunate than ourselves."
"I donate to Whole Planet Foundation because I believe that the end of poverty lies in the hands of those who are at the heart of developing our world’s poorest communities. As wealthy Americans it’s our role to empower these individuals who will make poverty history."
"Sometimes, we forget that there are those less fortunate who are struggling day to day for food, water, and shelter. Whole Foods is doing a wonderful service by involving their Team Members in this program and by raising awareness in our communities. It is a great feeling to know that I work for a company that values the importance of helping others.”
Crystal is a Customer Service Supervisor at Oracle and she will be heading to Guatemala this summer as a Team Member volunteer.
"I feel really happy raising money for Whole Planet Foundation because I have physically seen the products that the money I help raise enables the women to produce. That means that the women really are recieving the loans and pulling themselves out of poverty through access to microcredit."
When Helena recieved her gainsharing check, a bonus that reflects Whole Foods Market's vision of "shared fate", she donated it to Whole Planet Foundation to fund a microloan. She says “When I think of what $200.00 can do for someone… achieve financial independence, become an entrepreneur, feed their family, enhanced quality of life, personal empowerment, rise out of poverty, develop and inspire others…that’s what it’s all about. If I can do that with $200.00…why not? The best part is they pay it back and the cycle begins anew.
I’m very proud to be a part of WFM.”
We are proud to be a part of Whole Foods Market too, especially with wonderful team members like you Helena. Thank you for your generosity.
“For the write-off on my state [tax] return.” Haha. Really though, the "I bought a goat sticker [campaign]" was an excellent way to introduce charitable giving to our little one. Additionally, it led to a great series of discussions about income disparity, imports/exports, lending and microcredit..."
"I think that this is another way to help others and I am proud to be a part of a company that allows us the opportunity to invest in those communities and it’s people."
Katherine gives over $185 a year to fund microlending programs through her paycheck. “ I give a full micro loan per year because I have seen poverty all over the world first hand and this sort of support allows individuals to create a way to get out of the cycle of poverty in practical, functional ways with dignity. It’s not a hand out and creates a circular system that works for the whole community, not just one person. The money I give will not only help one person but will help many because when they pay the loan back it gets used again and again and again. It’s a way of giving that keeps giving. ”
"Giving is just like a circle. It starts at a point and ends where it began."
“I’m inspired by the integrity, determination, hard work and the generosity of the women who receive the micro-loans.
Their main focus is family and community. These are amazing, resilient women who make such a positive impact on others.”
“I’m from Nepal and I am very happy that the Whole Planet Foundation is providing microloans in my country. Women have a difficult time in Nepal because it is a very male dominated society and there are not opportunities for them to run businesses or get loans. We have many very poor women in Nepal and all over the world who have to provide for their families- the Whole Planet Foundation is giving them the opportunity to take care of their children and create a better life for their families.”
Nilu is a Customer Service team member in Cary N.C. Thank you Nilu!
"Whole Planet Foundation gives women in poverty stricken areas a chance to make a living, and Whole Foods Market gives our Team Members the opportunity to support the Whole Planet Foundation."
Tiffany is one of the top 3 fundraisers at Jamboree for the 2010 WPF Prosperity Campaign.
"I donate to Whole Planet Foundation because I know firsthand the impact of a dollar has in poorer developing countries."
"I think it is an incredible program where we can lend money to women to empower them to sustain their family by learning a trade and then being able to support their families, grow their business, and give back to their communities."
"At the end of the day, I feel good knowing that I have helped somebody."
Nikki is one of the top 3 fundraisers at Jamboree for the 2010 WPF Prosperity Campaign.
"The reason I like helping out with Whole Planet Foundation is to see people smile. I love to see the beaming smiles of the loan recipients, and I love seeing our customer's smiles when I ask them if they "would like to donate one million dollars to Whole Planet Foundation?"."
"It was amazing to me to learn that the amount I spend on groceries each week could help someone start a business and change the lives of their family forever. If all the team members in a location donated just $1 per paycheck, we could generate one loan per paycheck as a group or be a part of lifting 26 families out of poverty in just one year. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?"
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill "I feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back in this way – We are global and we touch many more lives than just our local customers. Just to know that I am able to provide someone with a microloan that helps them to grow their business and feed their children is enough for me! I am making a difference and that makes me happy!"
“The Whole Planet Foundation gives us a venue to responsibly and proactively help people get out of poverty, instead of just giving them a handout. It’s a proven and effective program that we can participate in and our Team Members have a great track-record of supporting this worthy cause.”
"What hooked me into the Whole Planet Foundation is the microcredit client inspired recipes our Team Member ambassadors have brought back from their travels. Recipes like Ethiopian Chickpea Stew and Pollo en Jocon from Guatemala give us a way to connect with people a world away through the common language of food. When I sit down to a bowl of spicy Guatemalan Chicken Stew it makes me think about people in those communities sitting down to the same meal. It’s like we’re sharing a dinner table even though we’re miles apart."
"I donate to the Whole Planet Foundation because I want to help support people in developing countries, especially the women who are working to support their families."
Chart: Whole Foods Market (WFM) Internal Fundraising Programs
Chart: WFM 2008 Prosperity Campaign Revenue by WFM Operating Region ($)
