Wild Oats Markets , a leading US-based natural and organic foods retailer, has announced that it is to donate 5 per cent of all its sales on Monday 18 March to local non-profit organisations.
The company said it had created these '5% Days' to "give something back to its stores' local communities by donating proceeds to non-profit organisations that have small budgets and big hearts".
Terry Maloy, chief marketing officer for Wild Oats Markets, said: "Wild Oats has always been an active community member, and we feel this is our opportunity to give back to local organisations that really need our support. Last year, we donated more than $1.2 million to local community non-profit groups. We hope that our customers will make a point to come into our stores on 18 March so that we can donate a significant amount to local charities on our first 5% Day in 2002."
Each of the company's Wild Oats and Nature's stores selects an organisation through an application process. On 18 March, more than 30 local non-profit groups across the country will benefit by receiving a donation that equals 5 per cent of the store's total sales for that day. Denver-metro area stores held their 5% Day in January, Malloy said.
Groups selected for donations are consistent with the company's mission of promoting health and well being, and include hunger relief organisations, environmental groups, educational foundations, animal rescue organisations, and non-profits that provide support for underprivileged or terminally ill individuals.
Every Wild Oats and Nature's store sponsors four local 5% Days every year to benefit local charitable organisations. Non-profit groups can apply for these and other charitable giving opportunities at donation stations in the stores. The company also supports local charitable organisations through food donations, benefit events and its Wooden Nickel programme, which allows customers who bring their own shopping bag to the store to make a 5 cent donation to one of several local charities in lieu of receiving a nickel refund.