Yachana Gourmet An Opportunity for your Chapter to Raise Funds Today

Partners of the Americas , as a network, does not often put our full support behind a particular product unless we feel it represents the vision, the people and the work of our organization. We have found a great product that we would not only love to support but one that we would like to encourage chapters to use as a fundraising tool.

Yachana Jungle Chocolate is a delicious, unique chocolate product produced by Yachana Gourmet in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. Yachana Gourmet is a socially progressive, ecologically conscious company that supports Fair Trade practices and buys directly from small family farmers cultivating shade-grown cacao in the rainforest of Ecuador . One hundred percent of Yachana Gourmet's profits support the FUNEDESIN Foundation's sustainable development, healthcare, and conservation programs. With their unique tropical flavors and an emphasis on supporting the families of the rainforest, Yachana Gourmet offers a wonderful alternative to the products currently available in our local stores. Moreover, Yachana Gourmet and FUNEDESIN were both founded by Douglas McMeekin, a Partners volunteer originally from Kentucky .

We've been working closely with Douglas and Yachana Gourmet Sales and Marketing Manager Charlie Conner, both of whom live and work in Ecuador , where Yachana Gourmet is headquartered. They are very helpful, accessible and knowledgeable. We're confident this is a good opportunity for your chapters to not only raise money but also use this as a vehicle to get the Partners of the Americas work publicized in your community.

HOW DOES THIS FUNDRAISER WORK?

It's simple! Purchase the chocolates and sell to your co-workers or
at your PTA meeting or Little League fundraiser. Sell to your family or at a Partners booth at the local Latino festival. Visit your local small whole foods shop that would be interested in supporting your organization while buying into a tremendous natural, delicious, international product.

• Chapter X purchases 100 bags of chocolate @ $1.89 (wholesale price)
• Chapter X then sells 100 bags of chocolate at Yachana Gourmet's suggested retail price of $2.89 or any amount you determine.
• Chapter X makes a 32% profit on this fundraiser. Of course, the more you sell, the more you will bring in!
• In addition, Yachana Gourmet has agreed to donate 10% of the entire volume purchased by Chapters to the Partners of the Americas network. That 10% is funneled back into achieving the mission of our organization to build opportunity and mutual understanding among the people of our hemisphere.
• Last but not least - participants in this fundraiser have an opportunity to participate in a vacation giveaway to the Yachana Lodge in Ecuador worth approximately $800! Contact Charlie Conner for details!

This is a win-win situation for our entire organization! We hope you find this a great opportunity to enjoy a remarkable product while supporting a worthy cause and raising much-needed resources for your local Partners chapter as well as the entire Partners network. There is no time limit on this fundraiser and we encourage chapters to start in immediately. Add it to your annual plan for 2003!

STEPS TO FUNDRAISING SUCCESS