WASHINGTON (March 20, 2015) - Sunday, March 22, 2015, will mark World Water Day. Water For People and TOMS Roasting Co. are pleased to announce that in one year their partnership has provided over 100,000 weeks of water to communities globally.
World Water Day is an observance that brings attention to the importance of safe water and advocates for the sustainable management of water resources. Access to safe water is essential to health, hygiene and economic productivity. With the purchase of each bag of TOMS Roasting Co. Coffee (TOMS), through Water For People (WFP), an international development organization dedicated to providing access to improved water and sanitation systems and services in developing countries, provides 140 liters of safe water (a one-week supply) to a person in need.
“During my travels with TOMS, I witnessed how the lack of safe water impacted communities we visited with TOMS Giving Partners, which gave me the idea for TOMS Roasting Co. Our specialty coffees are sourced from regions suffering from a lack of safe water and for every bag of coffee purchased, TOMS through its partnership with WFP provides a week of safe water to a person in need. The first step in making a difference starts with awareness; World Water Day is a global day to celebrate water, bring attention to the importance of safe water and advocate for the sustainable management of water resources,” said Blake Mycoskie, TOMS founder and chief shoe giver.
WFP is a Denver-based international development organization dedicated to providing access to improved water and sanitation systems and services in developing countries. By working with local governments, the private sector and local non-profit partners, WFP ensures that everyone in a specific region has these basic needs met. This innovative approach reaches families, schools and clinics, catalyzing transformative change for better health and economic development. WFP currently works in 10 countries around the world including Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and India.
WFP supports and partners with local businesses and government investments to create sustainable water services for widespread, long-term impact. TOMS giving helps fund WFP as they work to deliver:
- Long-term solutions: all water systems are designed to provide continuous service, impacting a community for generations.
- Local ownership: to ensure success, water systems require ongoing financing from the local government and community.
- Water for all: each water solution is designed to provide an entire community with access to safe water, which leads to improved health, increased economic productivity and access to education.