Ford Accelerated Action Day is one of many ways Ford Supports Community Hunger Relief Efforts

More than 600 Ford employees helped create a better world by working on food delivery projects at more than three dozen nonprofit locations. Teams of Ford volunteers prepared and served meals at soup kitchens and senior centers, packed food boxes and stocked shelves at food banks, veteran's organizations and homeless shelters, and made deliveries of fresh and nonperishable food to men, women and children.

Many of the nonprofit organizations participating in the latest Ford Accelerated Action Day also shared $85,000 in grants to purchase the food and supplies needed to complete their projects. Among the partners receiving grants from Ford Motor Company Fund were Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Fish and Loaves, Food Gatherers, HAVEN, Lighthouse of Oakland County, Matrix Human Services, Southwest Solutions and Veteran's Haven.

At the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center in Detroit, one MODEL Team of Ford volunteers helped prepare and serve a holiday meal for area seniors, while another group of Ford employees stepped outside to work on the Bed & Bread trucks that serve thousands of meals each day to hungry people in the community. Ford Fund President Jim Vella was among the Ford volunteers passing out gallons of hot soup and hundreds of sandwiches from the trucks.

"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 want to share some of our good fortune with the less fortunate in our communities."

Several dozen Ford volunteers spent their day at Focus: Hope packing and delivering food boxes for homebound seniors. Ford employees provide helping hands, and they also bring along enthusiasm and the desire to give back.

"Ford is wonderful," said Marilyn Clemons, agency coordinator, Focus Hope Food Program. "They come faithfully. They come willingly, and it's exciting to see them here because they're excited when they get here."

"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."

Ford and its employees support many hunger relief activities throughout the year. Ford 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 participates in the Holiday Meals on Wheels program, partners with The Parade Company to feed the hungry through Gleaners Community Food Bank and supports the Ford Focus on Hunger campaign in several states in the northwestern U.S.

Ford volunteers participated in more than forty projects on this Accelerated Action Day, and also sponsored a Winter Coat and Jacket Drive in southeast Michigan to help children and families stay warm during the winter months.

"We so much look forward to giving back to the community," said Joe Watkins, analyst, Marketing & Sales Operations. "It makes you feel good."

"I appreciate Ford donating our time to allow us to do this," said Paul Gallo, engineer, Powertrain Operations. "They encourage us to volunteer."

distributed by