Thursday, September 29, 2011

SooFoo Pledges $10,000 to Whole Foods Market's Nonprofit Whole Planet Foundation

SooFoo, inventor Maurice Kanbar’s blend of brown rice, grains and lentils announced today it has donated $10,000 to nonprofit Whole Planet Foundation to help alleviate poverty worldwide. The company’s contribution will help fund the Foundation’s mission to provide aspiring entrepreneurs in developing countries with an escape from poverty through microcredit loans.

Maurice Kanbar, founder of SooFoo said, “I am thrilled to support Whole Planet Foundation and their mission to empower entrepreneurs in developing countries with much needed microcredit loans. I’ve been an inventor and entrepreneur my entire life. I truly understand how important it is to help these incredible individuals get their ideas off the ground and escape poverty in parts of the world where there is little or no opportunity to do so. These loans not only fuel innovation but change lives. SooFoo is honored to be a part of it.”

In 2005, natural and organic retailer Whole Foods Market established Whole Planet Foundation as an expansion of its mission to be an active participant in the global community. The nonprofit provides grants to microfinance institutions in poor communities where the grocer sources products.

“Through microloans, poor entrepreneurs have an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty through their own ingenuity, and improve their lives and their family’s lives for generations to come,” said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. “We’re so fortunate to have the support of mission-driven companies like SooFoo who are helping us make to make a real difference in the fight against global poverty.”

To date, the Foundation has authorized more than $22.5 million and funded more than $13 million in microfinance programs in 42 countries, and positively impacted more than 965,000 people worldwide.

To donate to Whole Planet Foundation, learn more about the nonprofit, or for stories from microcredit loan recipients, visit: www.wholeplanetfoundation.org or read the Whole Story blog at: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com.

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