#GivingTuesday: Whole Foods Market in Newtonville Donates Thanksgiving Turkeys, Fixings

As part of our #GivingTuesday good news series leading up to December 2, 2014, the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton offers another heartwarming story.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, Whole Foods Market Newtonville donated twelve turkeys and all the fixings for Thanksgiving to the Boys & Girls Club of Newton to give to families in need. Jessica Cann, Marketing Team Leader & Community Liaison at Whole Foods Market Newtonville, along with fellow co-workers Eddy Boonchuilier and Larry of the Meat Department put together all the packages - each done with care and sincere thought.

Les Whitham, Club Program Director, greeted all the staff with open arms and was amazed to fill the Club van with all the items. Relaying numerous stories of gratitude from the receiving families, Les too was overjoyed by this very generous gesture. “It is such a great feeling to be able to tell some of our member families that they do not need to worry about what will be on the table for Thanksgiving. In fact, one father was brought to tears when he was told he would be receiving such help - such generosity is truly touching.”

Diane Marangoly, Club Assistant Development Director further added, “In the city of Newton, many people are unaware that hardship still exists. Over 34% of Club members come from families who meet eligibility requirements for federal and state assistance. The support of Whole Foods Market Newtonville during a time when pressures run high for those in need is truly meaningful and certainly most appreciated.”

Tuesday, December 2, 2014, is the official date for #GivingTuesday. After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, please consider Giving Tuesday and make a meaningful contribution to your local Boys & Girls Club.

About The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides affordable programs for youth ages 6-18. The Club’s mission is to inspire and enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Activities are designed to help kids develop positive self-identity, educational and social competence, a sense of well-being, and a moral compass while addressing the different interests and needs of children, from elementary through high school. The Club works in conjunction with local schools to help members succeed academically, give back to their community, and choose healthy lifestyles. Caring adult guidance provides a safe environment, a sense of belonging, and engaging educational programs—after school, during school holidays and in a summer day camp.

Serving more than 125 young people daily, the Club offers over 140 age-appropriate activities in the arts, food preparation, athletics/fitness, education, computer competence, vocational guidance, leadership and life skills, and supervised social recreation, with special programs for young children, teens and girls only. The cost of membership is $125 per family per year, no matter how many children in the family; summer day camp costs $210 a week, per child.

John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton, 675 Watertown Street, Newton, MA.

Phone: 617-630-2066. Website: www.newtonbgc.com

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 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 85,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 17 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2013, the company had sales of $12.9 billion and currently has more than 400 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

About #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 2, 2014. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit: www.givingtuesday.org.