New Whole Foods Market Helps Local Foster Children

We welcome Whole Foods Market to Prince George’s County and thank the popular grocery store chain for being so generous when it comes to our at-risk children.

A new Whole Foods Market opened in Riverdale Park on April 12, and is contributing 5 percent of its April 19 sales to Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County.

“This money will help us recruit, train and supervise volunteers to serve as court-appointed special advocates for foster children,” said Ann Marie Binsner, Executive Director of CASA/Prince George’s County.

While half of foster children nationwide drop out of high school, those with CASAs do far better in their academics and in their foster homes, and are thus far more apt to avoid a life in poverty.

“CASAs are real difference makers, and thanks to Whole Foods we will be able to provide more at-risk children with someone who can stand up for their rights,” Binsner said.

Whole Foods, located on Baltimore Avenue in Riverdale Park, is dedicated to partnering with the community. To demonstrate this commitment, Whole Foods selected a nonprofit from the neighborhood that has a strong history of serving vulnerable children for their first 5% Day at the Riverdale Park location.

Johanna DeGuzman, Marketing and Community Liaison for the new Riverdale Park location said, "Whole Foods Market Riverdale Park is proud to donate 5% of our April 19th sales to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocate of Prince George's County. CASA's work on behalf of children in our community is inspiring and we are honored to help support their mission. "

To continue their community involvement, Whole Foods Riverdale will hold a 5% day once per quarter.

About CASA/Prince George’s County:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George's County is a volunteer-based organization that partners with the juvenile court to improve the lives of children living in foster care who have suffered from abuse and neglect. With a strong commitment to diversity, CASA trains and supervises volunteers from the community who advocate for the best interest of children, recognizing and respecting each child's individual needs. By providing a voice to children in the foster care system, CASA’s goal is to help children and promote the timely placement of those we serve in safe, permanent homes.

About Whole Foods Market®

Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, 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 87,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 20 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2016, the company had sales of more than $15.7 billion and currently has more than 460 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more company news and information, please visit media.wfm.com.

f you are interested in volunteering, please call 301-209-0491, or go to www.pgcasa.org