The Whole Foods Market in Hingham will donate 5 percent of its net sales next Tuesday to Father Bill’s and MainSpring, which provides services to the homeless.
Father Bill’s president and CEO John Yazwinski said the money raised during the market’s “5% Day” will go toward emergency shelter and food. The organization's two shelters, MainSpring in Brockton and Father Bill’s in Quincy, serve an average of 600 meals a day to about 400 people. Those numbers are expected to increase in the winter.
“We’re not turning anybody away,” Yazwinski said. “Having places like Whole Foods participate in our mission puts resources into not turning anybody away.”
Eighty percent of the organization’s food budget is covered by the Meal-A-Month program, which is supported by community groups and businesses, he said. The funds Whole Foods contribute will help close the 20 percent gap.
Yazwinski said Father Bill’s has been looking to partner with the Hingham Whole Foods for more than a year. “We’ve seen how they’ve been supportive of a lot of local initiatives, so we’ve been reaching out to them for the opportunity to partner with them,” he said.
Hingham Whole Foods marketing team manager Christina Barber said every Whole Foods outlet holds four “5% Day” fund-raisers each year. The most recent one at the Hingham store, which benefitted Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset, raised $5,300.
“We try to partner with nonprofits in the local community,” she said. “We know [Father Bill’s] does great work. Their mission to end homelessness and hunger is really important.”
The Hingham Whole Foods Market is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday. Staff from Father Bill’s will be at the store to answer questions and hand out informational materials.
