Ford Volunteers Help Feed Thousands in Local Communities

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Dec 06, 2013, 12:01 ET

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Hundreds of Ford volunteers are packing, cooking and serving meals on a Ford Accelerated Action Day focused on feeding the hungry
Ford employees are working in MODEL Teams at more than three dozen locations in four states – Arizona, Michigan, South Carolina and Washington
Ford and its employees participate in many hunger-relief efforts throughout the year, contributing vehicles, dollars and manpower to help our neighbors

The Ford Volunteer Corps is out in the community on a Ford Accelerated Action Day dedicated to feeding the hungry.

More than 600 Ford employees are cooking and serving meals, sorting food and stocking shelves, and making deliveries to feed men, women and children in need. Ford volunteers have teamed up with nonprofit partners at food banks, shelters and care centers.

"Ford and its employees are committed to building stronger communities and one of the most important ways we do that is by helping meet some of the most basic needs of our neighbors," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "We are very thankful for all we have and it just comes naturally to share some of our good fortune with the less fortunate in our communities."

Many of the nonprofit organizations participating in today's volunteer effort will share $85,000 in Ford grants to buy the food and materials needed to complete their projects. Those partners include:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit - Pack and distribute emergency food packages
City Mission, Detroit - Prepare holiday dinner, fill pantry and stockings
COTS, Detroit - Prepare & serve holiday meal to residents and guests
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Detroit - Help pack food boxes for families
Focus: HOPE, Detroit - Pack holiday food boxes for needy seniors
Food Gatherers, Ann Arbor - Assemble 720 food boxes
HAVEN, Pontiac - Make improvements to kitchen and food pantry
Lighthouse of Oakland County, Pontiac - Transport food, sort and fill food pantry
Matrix Human Services, Detroit - Assemble, wrap & distribute food baskets
Ruth Ellis Center, Highland Park - Prepare meals & care packages for homeless youth
Salvation Army - Harbor Light, Detroit - Distribute food on Bed & Bread truck, prepare lunch
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Detroit - Sort & pack emergency food at Gleaners
Southwest Solutions, Detroit - Pack basic needs kits, prepare and serve lunch
Veteran's Haven, Wayne - Organize food warehouse, distribute food to veterans
Veteran's Haven, Westland - Package "pantry packs" at Gleaners for needy vets

Ford and its employees support many hunger relief activities throughout the year. Ford participates in the Holiday Meals on Wheels program, supports the Salvation Army's Bed & Bread Club and is partnering with The Parade Company to feed the hungry through Gleaners Community Food Bank. Ford also has provided Transit Connect mobile food pantries and disaster relief vehicles to 36 community organizations that deliver food and help communities from coast to coast.

"Ford has a culture of caring that spans generations," said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. "Go Further is not just a slogan. It is how we work together with our partners to meet the challenges of creating a better world."

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company