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Friday, March 29, 2024
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Principal Damon Smith (left) and Whole Foods Market community liaison Matthew Keller flank City Council members, students and staff members from the high school and Friends of CRLS organization at a June 2 check presentation.

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Principal Damon Smith (left) and Whole Foods Market community liaison Matthew Keller flank City Council members, students and staff members from the high school and Friends of CRLS organization at a June 2 check presentation.

From Friends of CRLS, June 15, 2016: Nearly $20,000 has been presented to the nonprofit association Friends of CRLS by the Whole Foods Market grocery store chain.

The big check presentations to the group made May 26 and June 2 at Cambridge’s Fresh Pond Whole Foods Market store, and later outside Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, were the result of 5% Day, one of Whole Foods Markets community giving programs.

Four area Whole Foods Markets – Prospect Street, River Street, Fresh Pond and Beacon Street in Somerville – participated April 6, committing to give 5 percent of their net sales that day to Friends of CRLS. The $17,840 will help FoCRLS expand its six programs: scholarships, student travel fellowships, faculty innovation grants, the “It Takes a Village” college success program and the Unsung Heroes Awards and Faculty Distinction Awards.

Half the high school’s 1,800-plus students are from families with limited financial resources, FoCRLS executive director Elaine Schear said. Whole Foods Market’s contribution is “the kind of generous corporate investment in our whole student community that will have a broad impact on their learning and aspirations,” she said.

The 5% Day had an “energizing effect” for the high school, she said, and “students and parents came out in force to be a presence in the stores throughout the day on April 6. They understand the significance.”

To donate, volunteer, or learn more about Friends of CRLS visit focrls.org or email [email protected].