Whole Foods Market Hosts A Weekend Of Giving Back and they Invite The Community To Do The Same

Aug. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Miami, FL. - Whole Foods Markets takes their corporate social responsibility very seriously; four times a year, Whole Foods Market (WFM) hosts 5% Community Giving Days, where 5% of their net sales are donated to a selected non-profit. This August, for the entire day, on the 17th, Joshua’s Heart Foundation (JHF) will be the recipient of their philanthropic measures.

Anyone wishing to donate backpacks, food items or to shop at the Whole Foods Market 5% community giving days, are encouraged to visit these WFM participating stores on Friday, August 17th to make a difference for someone less fortunate than you:

Whole Foods Market – Aventura | Whole Foods Market – Coral Gables | Whole Foods Market – Pinecrest | Whole Foods Market – South Beach

Eleven year old Joshua founded the organization over five years ago, when he was only five-years old. One day he decided to give his pocket money to a hungry homeless man and that is what sparked his mission to “Stomp out Hunger”. Joshua’s Heart Foundation provides various programs to help feed needy families.

“Whole Foods Market has been a great partner in supporting JHF and its mission to Stomp out Hunger” said Joshua Williams, Founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation. “We are extremely pleased to have all their Dade County locations participating in this year’s 5% Community Giving Days, it promises to be one of the best years yet”. JHF will have 2 volunteers at each Miami- Dade WFM location from 11am to 7pm to sign up volunteers and inform shoppers about the organization.

“Whole Foods Market is a company with a conscience. Just like Joshua’s Heart Foundation, we believe passionately in supporting the communities we serve, “said Macarena Luz Bianchi, the Marketing Team Leader at the Whole Foods Market in South Beach. “We invite everyone to come out Friday, August 17th to all our Miami-Dade locations and join our efforts to support JHF”.

Continuing in the vein of giving, on Saturday, August 18th, Whole Foods Market-Aventura will sponsor Joshua’s Heart Foundation’s food giveaway at Gulfstream Middle School located at 120 SW 4th Avenue, Hallandale Beach, 33009. A wholesome and nutritionally balanced variety of food will be distributed to those who qualify under the emergency food assistance program. 120 families have been identified to be this month’s recipients in Hallandale. In addition, Whole Foods Aventura’s Healthy Food Specialist, Chef Su  san Alvarez Vineta, will be on hand to demonstrate how to prepare healthy and tasty nutritious meals. All foods prepared and distributed will be donated by Whole Foods Market-Aventura.

“We are excited to partner with Joshua and his organization for back to school weekend to help the less fortunate in the community”, says Vanessa Hasselle team Leader at WFM Aventura Branch. “We hope to give these families healthier choices. We will show them how to prepare a meal with the food they will receive”.  

Additionally, Santos Sangria is donating 50 back packs and school supplies that will also be distributed at this event. “There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have helped a family in need”, said Williams. “We plan to keep feeding the hungry as long as we possibly can and longer”.  Food and back pack distributions will take place on Saturday the 18th from 1pm until 3pm.

“It is so important to provide outreach to everyone in a community because a healthy and happy family produces children who are school ready and wanting to learn”, says Gulfstream Middle’s Principal, Brian Kingsley.  “Gulfstream Middle School is excited to partner with Joshua’s Heart Foundation as their mission to “Stomp Out Hunger” aligns perfectly with our goal of providing each student and family that we serve every opportunity to become successful”, added Kingsley.

Joshua’s Heart Volunteers, over 60 youths and adults, will be on hand to distribute food on Saturday, August 18th, at Gulfstream Middle School. Whole foods market will also provide lunch for the volunteers. JHF hopes to provide food demonstrations that educate the community on how to prepare healthy meals on a quarterly basis at different areas in South Florida and is thrilled to have partnered with Whole Foods Market.


In these strained economic times when donations are almost non-existent, JHF needs all the support they can get to continue to fulfill their corporate mission. 5% Community Giving Days are one way that Whole Foods Market is able to provide financial support to such organizations.

About Joshua’s Heart Foundation ®
Joshua’s Heart Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-for-profit organization, empowers, needy people to improve their quality of life. The foundation was founded by a five year old boy by the name of Joshua. His heart conceived a passion for assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival. The main focus of his vision is to “Stomp out Hunger” in indigent and underprivileged communities, as well as from among those who battle debilitating diseases that affect their ability to earn enough to feed themselves. For more information about Joshua’s Heart Foundation, our local events or how to get involved, please contact us at 305.788.8295. You can also send us an email at info@joshuasheart.org and visit our website at http://www.joshuasheart.org.

About Whole Foods Market ®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ- WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 64,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 15 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2011, the company had sales of more than $10 billion and currently has more than 315 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.