Let Planned Parenthood Know You Support Founders Brewery's Decision to Say No to Them

Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids, MI was booked on 20 Sept 2009 by Local Threads Fashion Show for a fashion show. Initially the upcoming charity fashion show was supposed to benefit Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan. Last week, after angry calls & letters started pouring in, Founders President Mike Stevens told organizers this week they had to switch to another local, and less controversial, charity. They switched to Kids Food Basket, which provides meals for local students.

"We did not step in and remove Planned Parenthood because of who they are. It had zero to do with Planned Parenthood, this is in following with our policy," Stevens said.

According to The Grand Rapids Press: In a written statement, Stevens said the brewery is merely supplying the venue for the show, did not choose the charity and has a strict policy in regard to supporting charities or political affiliations.

"Our policy is to remain neutral and not put ourselves in any moral bias situation at all," Stevens wrote. "Once we found out about which charity was chosen, I had to step in."

Stevens said as a result of the incident, Founders no longer will allow charity events without "our 100 percent voice" in where the proceeds go.

Regardly of what the motivation was, I applaud Founders Brewery for their willingness to say "NO" to letting their place be used to support an organization that kills children. Instead, any money raised will help feed instead of kill children.

The paper's website has a poll, Was Founders Brewing Co. right to ask organizers of the Local Threads fashion show to change the event's beneficiary from Planned Parenthood?. As I write this here are the current results:
No. The brewery should stand up for the event it agreed to host. 54%
Yes. It was unfair for Local Threads organizers to put the business in that position. 43%
Unsure. 1%
Created on Sep 16, 2009
Total Votes: 550

As you can see, the support is currently in PP's favor. Please follow the link & vote yes to let Founders Brewery know they did the right thing, as well as send PP a message that people know that they are not the great philanthropic organization they claim to be.

& of course, the usual less than civil attacks on Pro-Lifers are found in the comments section.

FYI: According to their website, PPWNM lost $282.6 thousand dollars for the 2008 fiscal year. So, this fundraiser would have helped them keep afloat. Instead it has struck a much deserved blow that hopefully will hasten their demise. Sadly, the state of Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) gave them a 4 year grant to promote their garbage they call sex ed. (The other Michigan PP got money as well.)

Source: Founders Brewery changes fundraiser beneficiary from Planned Parenthood to Kids Food Basket amid threats of boycott