MIAMI — As part of its 5% Community Giving Days program, Whole Foods Markets is donating 5 percent of their sales that occur on Friday, Aug. 17 in their Miami-Dade County stores — Aventura, Coral Gables, Pinecrest and South Beach — to Joshua’s Heart Foundation.
Gulfstream Middle School in Hallandale has selected 120 families that qualify for reduced or free lunch to receive these food donations the next day, Saturday, Aug. 18.
Whole Foods will have their Healthy Food Specialist on hand to show how to prepare the food items they will receive. In addition, the foundation has received a donation of 50 backpacks with school supplies from a private donor Santos Sangria that they will also give out at the food giveaway that Saturday.
For now the push is on to have the community come out on Friday to WFM stores in Miami-Dade. The public also can bring donations of food items and or backpacks.
‘HEALTHIER CHOICES’
“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 Whole Foods’ Aventura store. “We hope to give these families healthier choices.”
Four times a year, Whole Foods hosts the 5% Community Giving Days on which 5 percent of the day’s net sales are donated to a selected nonprofit.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
This month’s beneficiary, Joshua’s Heart Foundation, is a 501(c)3 organization founded by Williams, who at 5 years old developed a passion for assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival.
Now at 11 years old, his vision is to “Stomp out Hunger” in indigent and underprivileged communities, as well as among those who battle debilitating diseases that affect their ability to earn enough to feed themselves. The foundation has a goal set to have healthy food demonstrations throughout South Florida once a quarter.
“Whole Foods Market has been a great partner in supporting JHF and its
mission to Stomp out Hunger,” said Williams. His foundation will have volunteers at each Miami-Dade Whole Foods location from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to sign up volunteers and inform shoppers about the organization.
For more information about Joshua’s Heart Foundation call 305-788-8295
Photo: Jordan Franchini-Wolfe
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