May 26th and June 2nd were big days for a donation advancing resources and well-being for the “whole teen” at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.
The “big check” presentation to the non-profit association Friends of CRLS (FoCRLS) at Cambridge’s Fresh Pond Whole Foods store, and later outside of CRLS, were the result of a “5% Day”, one of several community giving programs engineered by Whole Foods Markets.
Four area Whole Foods Markets, located on Prospect Street, River Street, Alewife Brook Parkway (Fresh Pond), and on Beacon Street, Somerville, participated in the 5% day on April 6th, during which the stores committed to giving five percent of their net sales that day to Friends of CRLS.
The $17, 840 in proceeds from Whole Foods will make it possible for FoCRLS to expand the organization’s six programs: Scholarships, Student Travel Fellowships, Faculty Innovation Grants, the "It Takes a Village" College Success Program, Unsung Heroes Awards, and Faculty Distinction Awards - a diverse menu of opportunities that impact the learning and aspirations of hundreds of students during the school year.
With approximately one in every 60 of Cambridge’s year-round residents a current CRLS student, and half of the high school’s 1800+ students from families with limited financial resources, the Whole Foods contribution is, says Executive Director Elaine Schear, “the kind of generous corporate investment in our whole student community that will have a broad impact on their learning and aspirations.” Speaking of the “energizing effect” of 5% Day at CRLS, she said, “Students and parents came out in force to be a presence in the stores throughout the day on April 6th. They understand the significance.”
To donate or volunteer, or for more information about Friends of CRLS visit focrls.org or email us.
Whole Foods Market® Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), 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 88,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 18 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2014, the company had sales of more than $14 billion and currently has more than 430 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more company news and information, please visit media.wfm.com.