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With more than 100,000 Massachusetts children experiencing homelessness every day, half under the age of six, family shelters are always filled with homeless children. The needs of very young children living in homeless shelters are the same as those of young children living in homes: for educational and recreational opportunities that allow them to develop their physical, social, emotional, and pre-academic skills; however, children experiencing homelessness often miss out on such opportunities.
On Wednesday, September 8, Whole Foods Market® (NASDAQ: WFMI) Dedham and Brighton will celebrate a Five Percent Day by donating five percent of the stores' net sales for the day to Horizons for Homeless Children, a non-profit organization focused on enriching the lives of homeless children in Massachusetts by providing them with quality early care and education programs. Funds generated from the 5% Day will be earmarked for the provision of quality direct care and early education services through Horizons for Homeless Children's Community Children's Centers and Playspace Programs*. They will also greatly assist the organization's growing training and advocacy efforts at local, state and national levels.
*Through the Playspace Programs Horizons for Homeless Children facilitates the creation of Playspaces (educational and recreational spaces) within family shelters to make healthy play possible for homeless children. The program recruits, trains, and places volunteers in the shelter Playspaces to supervise and engage the children in fun, educational play so that they can grow and develop, as all children should. Funds raised from the Whole Foods Market 5% Day on September 8th will help support Playspaces located in family shelters in the areas surrounding Dedham and Brighton.
"The crisis of child and family homelessness is one that continues to escalate," said Asa Fanelli, President, Horizons for Homeless Children. "HHC's Playspace Programs and Community Children's Centers provide young homeless children with opportunities to play and develop, while giving their parents a chance to work towards self-sufficiency. We are honored to partner with Whole Foods Market in an effort to improve the lives of homeless children and families and strive to break the cycle of homelessness."
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), 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 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2009, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 280 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
5% Day Details:
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
Whole Foods Market Dedham
Legacy Place
950 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
781-329-7100
Store hours: 8:00am to 10:00pm
Whole Foods Market Brighton
15 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135
617-738-8187
Store hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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