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.
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on X.com.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
About Newman's Own, Inc.
Newman's Own ®, Inc. ? founded by Paul Newman and his buddy A. E. Hotchner in 1982 ? is a successful and growing premium food business. Newman's Own offers more than 100 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products, which include salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, popcorn, lemonade, and thin & crispy frozen pizza. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own®, Inc. was expressed by Paul in the Company motto:"Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all profits to charity. More than $270 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982. Visit www.newmansown.com for the nearest retailer/s that carry Newman's Own products and for recipe suggestions using Newman's Own®, Inc. products. Learn more about our mission at www.newmansownfoundation.org.