"A Whole Change For The Homeless"

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"A Whole Change For The Homeless"
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PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2010

Media Contacts:
Jody Shiroma Perreira VP, Marketing & Communications Aloha United Way Phone: (808)286-0854	Natalie Aczon Marketing Manager Whole Foods Market Kahala Phone: (808)738-0820

“A WHOLE CHANGE FOR THE HOMELESS”
Whole Foods Market Kahala launches in-store program to drive awareness and raise funds for Aloha United Way’s homeless initiative

WHO: Whole Foods Market Kahala and Aloha United Way

WHAT: “A Whole Change for the Homeless”
WHEN: June 15, 2010 through August 31, 2010
WHERE: Whole Foods Market Kahala
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Donate spare change in jars located at each register to help fund programs to reduce the number of homeless individuals on Oahu.
Attend a series of community discussions on “Homeless in Hawaii” at the Whole Foods Market café from 6 PM to 7 PM on the following Thursdays: June 17, July 8 & 22, and August 5 & 19, 2010.

(HONOLULU) – On any given night there are 3,600 homeless individuals on Oahu, and of this, more than half are families with children. In addition, over 1,100 are unsheltered and living on the streets. Of the most difficult homeless situations are those that are driven by mental illness, addictions or both. The assistance required for an economically homeless family is entirely different than the assistance required for a chronically homeless person with multiple diagnoses.

In an effort to educate the community on the issue of homelessness, Whole Foods Market Kahala and Aloha United Way have teamed up to create “A Whole Change for the Homeless” project.

Beginning June 15, 2010 through August 31, 2010 Whole Foods Kahala will have jars placed at each register where customers can donate their loose change. All the money collected at the end of the program will be donated to Aloha United Way’s Homeless Impact Area, which supports programs aimed at reducing the number of homeless individuals on Oahu through coordinated efforts with its various partner agencies.
This locally grown initiative is supported wholeheartedly by the employees at Whole Foods Market Kahala who are passionate about the “homeless” issue currently facing our community.

“At Whole Foods, we are committed to sustaining our local communities. This includes supporting local organic farming and sustainable agriculture as well as supporting local causes that are relevant to our customers and our community. Homelessness has become so visible, our team members wanted to do something to make a difference in these people’s lives,” Natalie Aczon, Marketing Manager, Whole Foods Market Kahala, said. “Our partnership with Aloha United Way provides our team members with both volunteer opportunities and fundraising efforts that support programs that help our homeless population get back on their feet. We are asking the community to be involved as well.”

“The issue of homelessness is complex. The economic recession has driven families that were barely making ends meet into poverty, resulting in homelessness. On the other hand, many of the most difficult homeless situations are driven by mental illness, addictions or both. Therefore, addressing the homeless problem requires multiple approaches and the support of the community and companies like Whole Foods Market Kahala,” Susan Au Doyle, President, Aloha United Way, said. “We are thankful towards Whole Foods Market Kahala and its employees for taking a stand on this issue facing our community.”

The public is invited to attend a series of community discussions on the topic of “Homelessness in Hawaii” to learn more about the programs that are in place and what people can do to help. Led by Aloha United Way and its various partner agencies’ volunteers and staff members, these community discussions will take place on the following Thursdays at the Whole Foods Market Kahala café:

June 17, 2010, from 6 PM to 7 PM
July 8, 2010, from 6 PM to 7 PM
July 22, 2010, from 6 PM to 7 PM
August 5, 2010, from 6 PM to 7 PM
August 19, 2010, from 6 PM to 7 PM

Aloha United Way works to improve lives, motivate people to help others, increase resources to meet needs and inspire collective solutions to community problems.

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