Ford Fund, NW Ford Dealers Deliver Grants to Feed Hungry Children at Boys & Girls Clubs in the Pacific Northwest
Ford Fund, NW Ford Dealers Deliver Grants to Feed Hungry Children at Boys & Girls Clubs in the Pacific Northwest
- Ford Motor Company Fund and local Ford Dealers are providing grants to Boys and Girls Clubs in five states to help feed children during the holidays
- The pandemic and school closings are making this year especially tough on families with young children that are finding it more difficult to make ends meet
- Ford Focus on Child Hunger has donated more than $6 million to programs across the northwest as part of the company’s work to address food insecurity issues
SEATTLE, DEC 10, 2020 – Ford Motor Company Fund and Northwest Ford Dealers are donating approximately $100,000 to be shared by Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana and Alaska to help feed hungry children during the holidays. The demand for nutritious meals always increases this time of year because many students lose access to school lunches. The situation is especially difficult this year because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, school closings and the additional pressure on food supplies and other vital resources. In a normal year, it is estimated that nearly a quarter of the area’s children are unsure where their next meal will come from. Experts say this year that number could double.
Sixty-five clubs across the five-state region have received $1000-$1100 grants from Ford Fund as part of the annual Ford Focus on Child Hunger campaign. In addition, participating NW Ford Dealers will match or exceed these grants to their own community’s Boys & Girls Club in the month of December. These donations will expand the previously launched campaign and increase the number of children who benefit from this hunger initiative. The money will be used to provide meals and snacks at the Clubs during the holidays.
“This holiday season will mean extra stress for many families facing illness, unemployment and hunger as the coronavirus pandemic continues,” said Kristin Ford, program manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We hope others will join us in providing comfort and support for our neighbors in need during this difficult and unprecedented time.”
Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is working in several ways to address food access and food insecurity throughout the U.S. In the five-state Pacific Northwest region, over the last 7 years the Ford Focus on Child Hunger has donated more than $6 million, providing more than 10 million meals to regional programs.
The Boys & Girls Clubs have remained open during the pandemic to provide childcare for essential workers and other services to the community, such as remote learning and lunch programs.
“The pandemic has impacted all of us, especially families with young children where the need for food is most pressing,” said Katya Miltimore, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State. “We appreciate the support of Ford Fund and our local Ford dealers, and the opportunity to work together to help so many people in our community.”
Ford Fund has contributed nearly $3 million globally to assist nonprofits helping people manage challenges related to the pandemic, including more than $1.1 million delivered by employees and others through the COVID-19 Match Program. The program is helping 47 community organizations in 20 countries and 14 U.S. states provide hunger relief, basic needs and education during the pandemic.
To learn more about Ford Fund's response to COVID-19, visit www.fordfund.org/covid19.
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About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund’s mission is to strengthen communities and help make people’s lives better. Working with Ford employees, dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 50 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook and Twitter.