Giving back
Time to vote: Who will win Whole Foods Market Community of Giving Culture PollContest?
Sustainable Food CenterCourtesy photo
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterCourtesy photo
Southwest Family YMCA
If you don’t know by now, Whole Foods Market is a big fan of giving back to the community. In fact, the company gives back at least five percent of its after-tax profits to the communities it serves and regularly donates products and services to local causes.
The newest store, opening at The Shops at Arbor Trails on June 19th, will continue the tradition of giving back starting with its very first sale.
“Whole Foods Market is a company with a conscience and we believe passionately in supporting the communities we serve," said Rebecca Scofield, Austin media and community relations coordinator for Whole Foods Market.
During the first five days the new store is open, Whole Foods Market will donate one percent of total sales to five local non-profits. Whittling down all of the amazing non-profits in Austin to just five organizations took teamwork.
"We visited with our soon-to-be-neighbors in the surrounding communities, and with our Team Members, and selected the five wonderful organizations to support during our opening week," Scofield said.
The lucky non-profits are Austin Pets Alive, Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, Sustainable Food Center, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Southwest Family YMCA.
Each day a different non-profit will benefit but only one will get the honor of being chosen as the grand opening day non-profit. Not only does the winning group get to be a part of all the first day hoopla, but it also gets one percent of grand opening day sales, and let’s face it, opening day always brings out the crowds.
So who will that non-profit be? That's up to you, our readers.
Starting now through next Sunday, you can cast a vote for the non-profit you think should be recognized on the big day. Those who vote and sign up to be a CultureMap Insider are entered in to win a gift basket and $100 gift card to — you guessed it, Whole Foods Market.
Here’s a breakdown of the non-profits. Find the one you love and start voting now. You can vote once each day.
You are bound to fall in love with all the cute kittens and puppies seen throughout Austin Pets Alive's website. They are the very same animals the non-profit strives to save by providing resources, education and programs needed to keep them alive.
This organization is made up of mostly volunteers who hope to make Austin a no-kill city. Right now they focus on saving the healthy and treatable pets at risk of being killed in a shelter. They also work with pet owners who are having problems so great they need to give their pets up to a shelter.
Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary
Yes, Austin has a zoo, and it’s located in the Hill County just outside the city. There you'll find more than 300 animals, but unlike most zoos, these are rescue animals in need of rehabilitation.
Each animal has a heart warming story about how they got to Austin, and there are lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with them all. The zoo is a non-profit and depends on private donations and grants to keep it going.
Austin is all about its local vendors and products. The Sustainable Foods Center is a non-profit that creates opportunities for people to get in on the local food scene. The organization offers organic food gardening, connections to area farmers, and interactive cooking classes.
Their mission is to give children and adults increased access to locally grown food and improve the long-term health of Central Texas and the environment.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is by far one of the most beautiful places in Austin. Former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded the center in 1982.
The center is located in South Austin and boasts a gorgeous collection of beautiful and diverse wildflowers and native plants. The non-profit aims to protect and preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes through education, research and programming.
The Southwest Family YMCA is the final non-profit hoping to win the coveted grand opening day spot. This non-profit aims to enhance the lives of men, women, boys and girls in the Southwest Austin community. Y provides a variety of programs including camps, child care, and youth sports aimed at building self-esteem and teaching lifelong lessons. Y also strengthens bodies and nurtures spirits through their health and wellness programs. Whether you’re nine months or 90 years old, the Southwest Y offers a place to learn, grow and thrive.
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To vote in the Whole Foods Community of Giving Culture Poll click here.
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