FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC donates $20,000 in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
Volunteers of America Western Washington and Farm Aid receive cash donations
Seattle, Wash., September 15, 2005 - PCC Natural Markets (PCC) announced today that donations of $15,000 and $5,000 are being made to Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOA/WW) and to Farm Aid, respectively, to support the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts of those organizations.
The VOA/WW donation will be used by the organization's Greater Residential Options Program (GRO). The Program is sending a crew of 10 local volunteers tomorrow to relieve VOA affiliates who have been taking care of 69 residents of a VOA home for developmentally disabled adults, evacuated to Texas after being forced to leave their group home in New Orleans. Many affiliate workers have not had an opportunity to contact and care for their own families since the evacuation took place.
"After reading about the local VOA's plan to relieve their co-workers in Texas, announced in today's The Seattle Times, it occurred to us that this was an immediate and effective way to join in the relief efforts," said Tracy Wolpert, CEO. "We have been partners with the VOA for many years through our support of the Greenwood Food Bank in Seattle, and we are happy we can be of assistance in carrying out their plan to help affiliate VOA chapters directly involved in post-hurricane recovery."
The donation to Farm Aid is specifically for the Disaster Fund-Hurricane Relief. PCC's donation will help provide emergency funds for farm families needing food and help with living expenses as they recover from damage to their farms and livelihoods from Hurricane Katrina.
About PCC Natural Markets: Headquartered in Seattle, WA, PCC Natural Markets is a certified organic retailer, with annual sales of $89 million and an active membership of nearly 40,000. PCC operates seven locations in the Fremont, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Seward Park, Kirkland and Issaquah neighborhoods. www.pccnaturalmarkets.com
About VOA/WW: Volunteers of America Western Washington is a human service organization dedicated to reaching, serving, and empowering diverse individuals, families, and communities. www.voaww.org
About Farm Aid: Farm Aid actively builds partnerships and educates the public to raise funds and to promote activism in support of family farmers. www.farmaid.org