Whole Planet Foundation’s Poverty Is Unnecessary Project to Support Ten Thousand People
Impoverished Entrepreneurs and Their Family Members Can Live a Better Life Through Microcredit
Whole Planet Foundation’s annual Poverty Is Unnecessary Project provides opportunity for the world’s poorest people – mostly women – to take a microcredit loan and create or expand a home-based business for the opportunity to lift themselves and their family members out of poverty through their own hard work and creativity. Whole Planet Foundation supports impoverished entrepreneurs through microfinance partners in the United States and 69 other countries around the world.
The 2017 Poverty Is Unnecessary Fund raised $350,000 for microentrepreneurs through this year’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund members Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Greyston Bakery, High Brew Coffee, Natural Vitality, Shoes for Crews, Reserveage, Rishi Tea, WTRMLN WTR, The Republic of Tea, Stacy’s, Steaz and Surya Brasil and VOSS Water. Given the average first loan size and average number of family members supported by the entrepreneur and her loan, these generously donated funds will be disbursed to microfinance partners around the globe, reaching ten thousand people with the chance for a better life.
The Poverty Is Unnecessary Day Benefit & Live Auction celebrated 12 years of this work and raised awareness through more than 100 new partners and 400 attendees supporting Whole Planet Foundation.
Whole Planet Foundation is grateful to dozens of volunteers and these event sponsors who joined in meaningful ways to make the inaugural event a success: Gold Sponsor Chobani, Silver Sponsor If You Care and Bronze Sponsors Brasi Bites, OCHO, Sambazon, Seventh Generation, the Law Office of David Goodman and Traditional Medicinals. Chobani Director of Sales Juliet Moran shares “We’re inspired by the work of Whole Planet Foundation and proud to support our partner who does amazing things for communities around the world.”
Membership in next year’s Poverty Is Unnecessary Project begins in January, culminating this global effort in Whole Planet Foundation’s Annual Benefit in Austin, Texas on Thursday, October 25, 2018. Prospective fund members, sponsors, and auction donors should contact joy.stoddard@wholefoods.com.
