Reston Whole Foods to Donate Percent of Sales to Unified Prevention Coalition Jan. 15.

Shoppers at Whole Foods Market in Reston, located at Plaza America, on Wednesday, Jan. 15 will have five percent of their purchase go to the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

The UPC is a countywide nonprofit with more than 60 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug free.
 
“Youth and young adult alcohol and other drug use impacts a whole community, and we really appreciate Whole Foods joining forces with our other business partners in supporting our efforts for a safe and drug free county for youth and young adults,” said UPC President Lisa Adler.
 
UPC representatives will be hand at the Reston store during the “5% Day” to distribute information about current programs. UPC is spearheading a major “Don’t Drink and Drive” advertising campaign targeted to reduce the number of Fairfax County motor-vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers age 18 to 24.

The coalition also sponsors several popular community forums, including “Saturday Night in the Suburbs,” “Perils of the College Drinking Culture,” and “Protecting Against the Realities of Substance Abuse.”
 
Additionally, UPC helps coordinate the county’s efforts to encourage citizens to dispose of prescription drugs, a growing problem among youth and young adults.

The group is planning a marijuana community forum for March. A vital component of the coalition is its Youth Council made up of high school students from across the county.
 
“Substance abuse prevention funding from the federal government for coalition efforts has been cut substantially in the last five years,” Adler said. “Reaching out to the Fairfax County business community and being chosen as part of any charitable donation effort is paramount to the Unified Prevention Coalition’s sustainability strategy. The coalition needs every penny we so graciously receive in our work to prevent substance abuse among youth and young adults. We inform, educate and advocate on behalf of families in our county, and we are one of the best nonprofit values around as our staff costs are low and our outputs to the community are significant.”

The grocery, located at 11660 Plaza America Drive, is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.


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