(RED BANK – DEC. 2) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre will be the beneficiary of two “5% Community Giving Day” events held at Whole Foods Market locations in Middletown, NJ and Marlboro, NJ on Thursday, December 8^th.

On that day, five-percent of these stores’ net proceeds will be donated to the historic Basie’s arts education and outreach programs. These efforts include the theater’s renowned Bus-In Program, where students from schools across Monmouth and Ocean counties received subsidized tickets and transportation to cultural events at the theatre, complete with pre- and post-show lessons from teaching artists. The theatre also provides students with classroom and summer arts education experiences, along with programs for Red Bank’s Latino population and professional development for educators through its partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The Count Basie Theatre is also home to the annual Basie Awards, which recognize excellence in Monmouth County high school theater.  In addition, the Basie’s Performing Arts Academy provides year-round classes and workshops in dance, musical theater, acting, recording arts, musical performance and singing.

“It’s exciting to have Whole Foods Market select the Basie as a recipient of their 5% Community Giving Day,” says Maria Sorensen, Vice President of Development at the Count Basie Theatre. “Whole Foods Market has a long history of being a good neighbor. This is just another example of how they partner with local organizations that educate and enrich the lives of children and families in the community.”

The Count Basie Theatre is also offering Whole Foods customers an incentive to buy: anyone who spends more than $100 between now and February 28, 2017 can pick up a coupon at checkout good for 10% off a Performing Arts Academy classes in either the winter or spring sessions.

Whole Foods Market Community Giving Day is a designated day during which a Whole Foods Market store gives a percentage of store sales to a chosen Community Partner. Most often, 5% of the day’s sales are donated. Community Giving Days are determined by each store’s marketing and leadership teams. The store teams choose the exact day and date for each community day and generally there is one Community Giving Day per quarter.