Whole Foods Market Aims to Help Those Less Fortunate

Whole Foods Market wants to help Culver City residents do something good this weekend for someone else.

The company is sponsoring "Make Good: A Celebration of Empowerment to Benefit Whole Planet Foundation" on Saturday at Barcode Studio.

The event is designed to benefit and raise awareness about Whole Planet Foundation, said Lena Pereira, marketing supervisor for Whole Foods Market West Los Angeles. Whole Planet Foundation's goal is to help the world's poor.

"The nonprofit’s mission is to empower the poor living in developing-world communities with microcredit and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty," Pereira said.

It was a natural choice to hold the event in Culver City because of the support the foundation has received here, according to Pereira.

"We chose Barcode Studio because we like the charm of the Helms Bakery District," Pereira said. "Richard Ruthsatz and Toby Pederson, the owners, are very supportive of our cause."

Both men say it was a no brainer to support the mission of the foundation.

"Empowering impoverished women with microcredit loans seemed liked a very good idea to us," Pederson said. The fact that 100% of the contributions go directly into the microlending program makes it an excellent idea."

The event will feature food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and music from around the world. This year marks the first for the event. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased online or for $25 at the door.

"Make Good: A Celebration of Empowerment to Benefit Whole Planet Foundation" is scheduled to take place from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.