Community Giving

At Whole Foods Market – Portland, we believe in being an active participant in our local community and dedicate our support to organizations that improve the quality of life for Maine citizens.  The emphasis of our charitable giving is directed towards these areas:

• Hunger Relief
• Environmental Preservation
• Arts and Education
• Preventative Health  Care and Wellness
• Sustainable Agriculture

Charitable Giving & Sponsorships

Our store supports non-profit organizations and schools in Maine by donating products, food platters, reusable bags, gift cards and gift baskets for auctions and events. Since opening in February 2007, the Portland store has provided charitable giving to over 220 Maine non-profit organizations and schools.

The Donation Application and Guidelines form is available at the Customer Service booth during business hours, daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.  In order to be considered for charitable giving, the completed form, a copy of your group’s 501(c)3 letter from the IRS/US Treasury, and any support materials should be returned to the store or sent via mail no later than 45 days prior to your print date for event materials, or sooner. Faxes are not accepted. Please note that applications are reviewed on a first come basis.

Click here for online donation request form  **We are only accepting applications for October 2012 and later.**

Food Banks

Seven days a week, we donate safe, edible food to Wayside Food Programs and Preble Street.

5% Days

On designated days throughout the year, a total of 5% of the day’s net sales are donated to local non-profit organizations. Customers help support our selected organizations just by shopping on these 5% Days.

Since opening in February 2007, we have held 5% Days for these organizations:

• Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
• Bayside Trail Association
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southern Maine
• Cancer Community Center
• Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
• Cultivating Community
• Ferry Beach Ecology School
• Longfellow Elementary School’s Poet Hideaway Learning Garden
• Maine Organic Gardeners & Farmers Association (MOFGA)
• Pine Tree Camp
• Preble Street
• Rippleffect
• Share Our Strength
• University of Maine Cooperative Extension – Cumberland County

Our next 5% Day recipient will be for the Maine Audubon to be held on June 19, 2012.

Community Involvement

We offer several in-store programs that provide our customers with an opportunity to participate in community support.  At the Coffee Bar register, in lieu of tips , customers can make a donation to a selected charity, and at all of the registers, we provide donation coupons to another selected charity.  These programs also help the organization gain increased awareness about their mission.

Feed Kids Now & Feed Pets Now

Throughout the year, Whole Foods Market Portland offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase pre-packed grocery bags of food to be donated to a selected local charity.  Bags are available at every register for purchase.  Every week, the non-profit picks up the bags to be distributed to those who most need it.

Current Community Support Recipients:

5% Day: Maine Audubon

Feed Pets Now: Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland

Tip Box: Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri For a Cure

Applying for Charitable Giving

Event Sponsorship and Auction Donations:

For more information, please contact Barbara Gulino, Marketing Team Leader, barbara.gulino@wholefoods.com

5% Day Application:

Please submit a written request with a short summary of your organization’s mission, local supporters, current membership, and how you vision utilizing the 5% day donation to your organization.  Please include a copy of your 501(c)3 IRS letter, as well as additional support materials about your organization.  Submit your request to:  Barbara Gulino, Marketing Team Leader, Whole Foods Market, 2 Somerset Street, Portland, ME 04101