Innovative Partnership Reaches Milestone of 4.6 Million Miles Traveled and Nearly 98 Million Meals Delivered Nationwide
CHICAGO, Aug. 17 -- Today, Ford Motor Company and Newman's Own, Inc. announced their continued commitment to combat hunger by extending their partnership with Feeding America -- the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization. This month, through the "Partnership for Hunger Relief," Ford Motor Company and Newman's Own, Inc. will donate seven refrigerated trucks, bringing their donation total to eighty-nine trucks in forty-two states since the partnership began nine years ago.
"During these tough economic times, Ford Motor Company remains committed to playing a role in addressing hunger relief in this country," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "We're proud to be part of a partnership that is getting fresh food to people and areas facing the greatest need."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2008 report of food insecurity indicated that 36.2 million Americans lived in households considered to be food insecure; one in eight Americans are at risk of hunger.
"We are pleased to be part of this collaborative effort again," said Tom Indoe, president and chief operating officer of Newman's Own, Inc. "We can make further progress this year addressing the significant issue of rural hunger that affects millions of people each day."
The partnership's refrigerated truck fleet has traveled more than 4.6 million miles -- the equivalent of almost 200 trips around the world -- providing perishable food to communities who are at risk. To date, the partnership has delivered 125 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 98 million meals.
Vicki Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America, said, "Last year alone, our nation's food banks saw a 30 percent increase in demand due to the economic downturn. We at Feeding America would not be able to feed over 25 million people a year without the generous support of corporations like Newman's Own and Ford Motor Company."
The "Partnership for Hunger Relief" began nine years ago when Paul Newman called Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford and asked if Ford would join with Newman's Own, Inc. and Feeding America in addressing the growing problem of hunger in rural America.
The food banks receiving trucks this year include: United Food Bank, Mesa, Ariz.; Daily Bread Food Bank, Miami, Fla.; Golden Harvest Food Bank, Augusta, Ga.; The Food Basket, Inc., Hilo, Hawaii; Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore, Md.; Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, Erie, Pa.; and Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg, Pa.
To learn more about the Partnership for Hunger Relief, go to http://www.youtube.com/feedingamerica. In the same amount of time it takes to share the video with 10 friends, 396 hungry people will visit a food pantry for help.
