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.
“It feels so great to work for a company that genuinely supports our communities on both a local and global level. Whole Planet Foundation truly embodies Whole Foods Market’s core values; I am so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
Kristen Kaza is the Marketing Specialist in our Evanston North Store in Illinois.
"I am absolutely inspired by Whole Planet Foundation. It’s incredibly wonderful that our company gives team members the opportunity to be directly involved in a program the reveals the heart of Whole Foods Market and speaks for the integrity and strength of our humanity. The foundation awakens my compassion and renews my faith in a democracy that creates joy and hope for others as well as ourselves. And it’s so easy to be involved!
My work last summer with the kids in Pena Blanca on the Team Member Volunteer Program was an incredibly rewarding experience. I went there to teach the kids, but I was really the student, a student of humanity and I learned a lot from them. So much so that I’ve been inspired to create similar programs for our kids in the Pittsburgh community."
"Why would you not want to be part of Whole Planet Foundation?”
“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all”
Doug Straub, the Receiver and Morghan Dill is the Team Member Awareness Group and Green Mission Store Representative at Colfax in Colorado.
“It’s never been so easy to help someone out. Every time I hear of a borrower’s success story, I get the chills knowing that I was a part of that even though I’m thousands of miles away. Whole Planet Foundation keeps me updated on borrower’s stories, statistics, and their work in developing-world communities. I trust that my dollars are going to those in need. It’s also great to know that my donation stays in that community and gets “recycled” to another borrower making it a gift that keeps on giving!”
Janna Fakier is the Training and Educational Specialist for the Northern California region.
"I’ve been blessed with so much that I feel a responsibility to share what I have with others. Giving to the Whole Planet Foundation is a way for me to do that. Even a small amount of money can make a big difference in someone’s life. I also provide a bi-weekly report detailing the number of TMs contributing to the program and I get so excited to see the numbers growing from week to week. It’s amazing to me to think we have over twelve thousand TMs giving to help others!"
Kim Head is Senior Financial Analyst on the Team Member Services Financial Analysis & Reporting Team at our Global offices in Austin Texas.
"Travelling in Africa and Central America, I saw that people in developing countries have incredible passion and entrepreneurial spirit. I love supporting Whole Planet Foundation because it empowers people in less-developed countries to develop their own solutions to poverty. Recipients of micro-loans can start businesses that appeal to their own unique talents, serve a real need in their community and often preserve invaluable artisanal wisdom. Working with Whole Foods Market, I feel so blessed to have a livelihood that has a positive impact in my community, I want the same for people all over the world!"
Lauren McCutcheon is an In Store Educator at the Santa Cruz California store.
"It was important for me to educate the team members about Whole Planet Foundation so that they would really connect to the understanding that Whole Foods Market is more than just a really great grocery store. As usual, the team members in Portland didn't disappoint and came through like the rock stars that we are!"
Maryel Tomter is the In Store Educator at the Portland store in Maine.
"Just to know that someone in need will have that help there is great inspiration in itself!"
Dajuan Brown is a Customer Service Associate Team Leader at the Walnut Creek store in Northern California.
“It’s less than a cup of coffee, and I actually make a difference in someone’s life.”
“I’ve volunteered for the Peace Corps before, but now that I have kids and work full-time, it’s hard to find the time to contribute to worthy charities. Giving to Whole Planet Foundation is one way I can stay connected to the world.”
Julie Finn and Stephanie Voss are Team Members at the Framingham store in Massachusetts.
"Why I give to the Whole Planet Foundation in particular is because I feel my dollars will go further to help somebody out of poverty in a country the developing world."
Elizabeth Carrion-Smuck is in Cash Up and is athe Backup Graphic Artist at the Quarry store in San Antonio Texas.
"If we can't physically do something to help, then this is what we need to do to help people change their lives."
Michelle is a Customer Service team member and Matt is a Prepared Foods team member at the Portland store in Maine.
“Whole Planet Foundation is transforming the lives of others and the shifting global awareness of poverty. For pennies a day, I am able to participate in a program that offers others the opportunity to break the cycle and create a life for themselves, full of choice and freedom. I have been fortunate to see first hand the work of the Whole Planet Foundation and I’m honored to be a part of the Whole Foods Market Family.”
Nikki Heil is the Store Marketing Specialist at the Sarasota store in Florida and a Whole Foods Market Team Member Volunteer who spent a month in Guatemala.
"What little sacrifice I'm making by donating maybe a cup of coffee, is helping to change a persons whole life. It's worth giving up that cup of coffee."
Carl is a Prepared Foods Team Member in the Portland store in Maine.
"I donate money from my paycheck to Whole Planet Foundation because I know that my money is actually going to the intended people. With many organizations today I am hesitant about giving my money because I don't necessarily trust that the money is actually being donated properly. My sister went on the first Team Member Volunteer trip to Costa Rica to work with endangered sea turtles and meet microcredit clients funded by the foundation. To hear first hand accounts of the efforts that Whole Planet Foundation is putting out there made me donate even more. I look forward to volunteering on a future trip so I can see how microlending is benefiting women around the world. It's yet another way that I can see how my contribution is helping people as it is intended to do."
Nikki Newman is a Concierge team member at the Lamar store in Austin Texas.
"I could either buy sushi or directly change someone's life........I'm changing someone's life." Shannon is a buyer for the Specialty Team at the Portland store in Maine.
“I feel very passionate about Whole Planet Foundation. It helps underprivileged people which helps the entire world and builds camaraderie between all nations. I am very proud to be part of a company that is so proactive in doing the right thing."
Gus Tuomi is the In Store Educator for the Los Altos store in California.
“As soon as I found out I was able to deduct $10 a paycheck to WPF I did. Why? Well I read the information and realized that 3 lattes a pay period would provide a person with the ability to make it on their own. Start their own business, put food on their table for their family and community. It makes me feel good that my small amount of $10 a pay period brings security, independence, and wealth to people who would not have that option before. I donate because I can. “
Jennifer Jones is the Florida Regional Accountant
"This is an amazing opportunity that we are given....to donate to help change someones life and we are empowering women by doing it."
Katie is a Customer Service Team Member and Erin is a Customer Service Supervisor at the Portland store in Maine.
"This is a perfect example of how so little goes so far. If each team member in a store gives just a dollar a paycheck, collectively that can equal an entire loan for a woman. That one loan also has a positive effect on her family, village, and generations to come. There is no limit to that one dollar and how much it pays forward."
Kerry Page is the Payroll and Benefits Specialist at the New Center Point store in Colorado.
"It feels great knowing I am helping someone with a hand-up, as opposed to merely a hand-out.”
Traci Rong is the In-Store Educator for the Walnut Creek Store in our Northern California region.
"It doesn't take a lot to make a difference in someone's life."
Corey and Jen are Customer Service Team members at the Portland store in Maine.
"I enjoy helping people get their businesses started as much as I enjoy working for a company that would give them such a chance."
Jonathan McMurdo is a Customer Service team member at the Quarry store in San Antonio Texas.
"I donate to Whole Planet Foundation every month because it's a small effort that makes a big difference. Knowing that my money is going directly to women who are positively effecting their communities is rewarding and reinforces why I work for a company like Whole Foods Market. It's wonderful to know that there are efforts being made to change lives for the better and I am helping to make that happen."
Meg Mascarenas is a Floral Assistant Specialist at the Lamar store in Austin Texas.
“It seems like such a small thing…how can you not donate to something so wonderful?”
Michelle Peluso is the Marketing Assistant and Store Team Member Awareness Group Representative for the Paradise Valley Store in Arizona.
"I donate because I know the people are truly in need and will use it for what they need; to create a living for themselves and their family. Plus, it's a loan, so what we give not only helps one person, but over time as that person pays back their loan, that money will go on to the next person in need and creates a small cycle within the grand plan of ending poverty."
Falesha is a Concierge team member and the Team Member Awareness Group store representative for the Lamar store in Austin, Texas.
"We all do better when we all do better"
Katy, Shannon, Alan and Carlos are Bakery team members at the Portland store in Maine.
Pikes Peak
“I can’t believe how much so little can impact the lives of so many people.”
Rick Mickelson is a Team member at the Pikes Peak store in Colorado.
"For less than the cost of ONE cup of coffee a paycheck, I can make a huge difference in somebody’s life. Think what we could do if everybody donated!"
Heather Behymer is the Payroll and Benefits Specialist for the South Atlanta Bakehouse and South Seafood Distribution.
Pikes Peak
"You gotta love getting a paycheck that has already given to others."
Sarah is a Team Member at the Pikes Peak store in Colorado.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that our team members are concerned about making a difference in the world and helping others.”
Helen Lee is a Whole Body team member in the Tannasbourne Store in Oregon which is in the Pacific Northwest region.
"It is amazing that we can give people a hand up instead of a hand out. By giving of ourselves we assist people by empowering them, instead of giving them charity.”
Tara Hughes is a Customer Service Team Leader at Kirby in Houston Texas.
"We are so fortunate to have so much, even in bad times.......how can I not."
Sean is a Prepared Foods team member at the Portland store in Maine.
"Having families, we are showing our kids that no matter how much or how little you give, in the end it all makes a huge difference in someone's life."
Becky is a Payroll and Benefits Backup and Melise is a team member at the Portland store in Maine.
"It's what I need to do because I can"
Ruth is a floral team member at the Portland store in Maine.
Tampa store cashier Michael Zabrek is the #1 cashier in funds raised as a % of store sales through shopper donations at the registers. He learned about Whole Planet Foundation and did his own research so that he could speak with confidence about the power of microcredit to empower the poor. He was inspired by the generosity of Whole Foods Market in covering 100% of the administrative costs of the foundation, allowing the entire contribution from shoppers to fund microcredit. Sharing what he learned about the power of microcredit with Tampa shoppers, he educated them and asked if they wanted to join. When shoppers gave a generous donation he would cheer and get the whole store excited.
Superstition caused Michael to not cut his hair during the entire campaign, so cutting his hair is one of the many things he'll do to get ready for his trip. He looks forward to seeing microcredit in action and sharing his experience with the gracious customers who generously gave donations. Michael will visit microcredit clients and their home-based businesses, build carbon-efficient stoves in a Mayan community and hike to a coffee finca that supplies our stores with product. Thank you Michael!
Chart: Whole Foods Market (WFM) Internal Fundraising Programs
Chart: WFM 2008 Prosperity Campaign Revenue by WFM Operating Region ($)
