Whole Foods Market Florida Establishes Haitian Relief Fund
More than $44,000 given to Food for the Poor on behalf of Haitian Relief Fund
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (October 6, 2008) – Whole Foods Market and Food For The Poor have launched the Haitian Relief Fund to help the devastated citizens of Haiti.
Whole Foods Market stores throughout Florida have signs at the checkout registers encouraging customers to donate $1, $ 2 or $5 to the Haitian Relief Fund. Food bins have also been placed at the entrance of various Whole Foods Market Florida stores, allowing customers the opportunity to make a food donation as well.
In Haiti, as many as 1,000 people have died, and an estimated one million left homeless, after a series of four storms ravaged the impoverished country in less than a month.
“The need in Haiti is enormous. And more than 25 percent of our Whole Foods Market team members throughout the State of Florida are of Haitian decent. As a community partner, I knew that we had to do something to help and, by partnering with Food For The Poor, we could make sure that the funds we raise and the food we collect will get to the people in Haiti who need it most,” said Whole Foods Market Aventura Store Team Leader Evan Schmiedehaus.
Since September 19, Whole Food’s customers have generously donated more than $44,714 to the Haitian Relief Fund.
“Thanks to the kindness of Whole Foods and its customers, Food For The Poor will be able to feed hundreds of children and their families in Haiti,” said Food For The Poor’s Executive Director Angel Aloma.
Food For The Poor is the second largest international relief and development organization in the nation. With more than 96% of all donations going directly to programs that help those in need, Food For The Poor provides nourishing food, safe shelter, necessary medical care, educational materials, support for orphans and the aged, and much more to the poorest of the poor in 16 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.
About Whole Foods Market®:
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2007, the company had sales of $6.6 billion and currently has more than 270 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & Wild™, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community Market™ are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 53,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 11 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.
Contact:
Meredith Michelson
512-472-3515
Russ Benblatt
954-489-2098
[email protected]
Hugh Graf
954-427-2222 x6610
[email protected]
