Whole Foods, a supermarket chain that sources local and organic food, is holding a fundraising event this Wednesday to benefit Ready, Willing & Able, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and job opportunities to formerly homeless men. It also contracts these men out to community organizations to help clean commercial corridors, such as 52nd Street, Germantown Avenue and Washington Avenue.

Ready, Willing and Able will receive 5 percent of the total sales generated during a single-day, December 10, at the Whole Foods on South Street. These events are called 5% Days, and a single Whole Food’s location can hold several per year. Nonprofits become eligible by reaching out to the marketing director at their local Whole Foods.

Ready, Willing & Able Executive Director Jason Miller said that he expects organization to receive up to $5,000 from the 5% Day, and much of it will go towards its Culinary Arts program, which prepares men for entering the service industry.

In addition, Whole Foods donates surplus food to Ready, Willing & Able on an ongoing basis, twice a week, which goes towards stocking the kitchen at the nonprofit’s headquarters just a few blocks away.

“It’s not just about this day. The food they give, the long-term commitment that they’ve given us, have been really powerful,”Miller said.

Photo courtesy of Ready, Willing & Able