Whole Planet Foundation Poverty Is Unnecessary Partners Commit $325,000 to Alleviate Global Poverty

Each 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 in countries around the world where the company sources products.  The Poverty is Unnecessary Project spotlights Poverty is Unnecessary Fund donors who collectively are committed to donating $325,000 to alleviate poverty through microcredit. 

Since inception, Whole Planet Foundation has funded $93 million to create 5.2 million microloans for entrepreneurs working hard to escape poverty. Whole Planet Foundation works in 25 U.S. cities and in 78 other countries around the world. Microloans are small loans  — with no formal contract or formal collateral — provided to microentrepreneurs for the chance to create or expand a business and generate income through their own hard work and ingenuity. Through our network of microfinance partners, the foundation has funded 27.6 million opportunities for entrepreneurs like Olexandra to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Learn more about Olexandra and her loan from our microfinance partner in the Ukraine, Anisia Credit Union.

The Poverty is Unnecessary Project is how Whole Planet Foundation celebrates our suppliers, corporate partners, donors, volunteers, advocates and sponsors.  This year’s generous Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members are Alaffia, Ben & Jerry’s, Health-Ade, La Colombe Coffee, Laird Superfood, Lundberg Family Farms, Pact, SAMBAZON, Schmidt’s, SheaMoisture, Sir Kensington’s, TAZO, and The Republic of Tea.

"We are deeply grateful for the Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members who collectively will help provide 9,900+ opportunities for impoverished entrepreneurs and their families to generate income and have the chance to lift themselves up, " said Joy Stoddard, development and outreach director for Whole Planet Foundation. “Given the effects of the pandemic, the generosity of this group of special supporters is appreciated more than ever.” Learn more about Alaffia, Ben & Jerry’s, Health-Ade, La Colombe Coffee, Laird Superfood, Lundberg Family Farms, Pact, SAMBAZON, Schmidt’s, SheaMoisture, Sir Kensington’s, TAZO, and The Republic of Tea through this Whole Planet Foundation blog post. 

Learn more about how you can join these companies to alleviate global poverty through microcredit by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org.