The UNM Agora Crisis Center will be receiving 5 percent of all Wild Oats Market's sales today from the company's three Albuquerque locations.
Agora Crisis Center is one of four groups selected for this year's Wild Oat's 5 percent days, a fund-raiser for local nonprofit organizations. Agora is a free hotline that listens to callers from the community and offers referral services when necessary.
Jeremy Jaramillo, Agora budget and finance director, said the center applied for the fund-raiser after participating in a previous Wild Oats program.
The all-day event includes an appearance from Kit Missile and Mike from 100.3 The Peak, which will broadcast live at the at the 2103 Carlisle Blvd. Wild Oats store from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
He added that broadcasting fees will cut down on some of the group's profits, but said the event will be a positive advertising opportunity.
"It's a very good way to get our name out into the community," Jaramillo said. "For a few years people didn't know who we were and we really want to up our numbers."
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Jaramillo said information booths about the crisis center will be at all three Albuquerque Wild Oats locations, which include the stores on Carlisle Boulevard, 11015 Menaul Blvd. and 6300 San Mateo Blvd.
He added that the center will have additional fund-raisers which include five hours of massages donated by the Southwest Health Career Institute and a free haircut donated by Beauty First.
Two of the massage hours will be auctioned off on the radio and the rest will be raffled off at each location. People can get raffle tickets by showing a Wild Oats receipt for $20 or more or by donating $1.
Kenneth Nuanez, marketing director of the Carlisle Boulevard Wild Oats, said the company double-checked Agora's budget, which is $1,200, to make sure it really was that small.
He said that budget was one of the reasons Wild Oats chose the organization because smaller groups are a new focus for the company.
Nuanez said that during past 5 percent days, Wild Oats has chosen groups such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Rio Grande Restoration; National Parks Conservations Association; and the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy.
Nuanez said that while this year's groups have already been chosen, nonprofit groups are welcome to apply for next year's 5 percent days at any of the store's locations.
The Agora Crisis Center can be reached at 277-3013 and its Web site is www.agorasepas.com.
