SEATTLE – Ford Motor Company Fund and Northwest Ford dealers are teaming up once again to host the Ford Peanut Butter Drive during the month of May. The initiative - part of Ford Focus on Child Hunger - launched during the Seattle Mariners game against the Chicago Cubs. Fans were encouraged to bring unopened jars of peanut butter and Northwest Harvest was on hand to collect cash donations. This is the sixth year of the drive and it started strong with 796 pounds of peanut butter and $1,752 in donations.
As the drive continues through May 31, Northwest Ford dealers and Ford Fund are encouraging people to bring peanut butter donations to their local Ford dealers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Those unable to contribute in person can make a cash donation at www.fordfeedskids.org by clicking on the food bank of their choice. The Northwest Ford Dealer Advertising Association will also be donating one case of peanut butter for each new vehicle sold in May.
During summer months when school is out, families that depend on school lunch programs turn to food banks to help ensure their children have enough to eat. This increase in demand has food banks turning to a favorite pantry staple - peanut butter. Beyond being shelf-stable, peanut butter is versatile enough for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is a healthy option that provides essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
"Hunger can be a problem for anyone, but for kids even brief periods of hunger can have a lifetime of consequences," says Kristin Ford, program manager, Ford Fund operations in the Pacific Northwest. "Ford Fund and Ford dealers believe we have a responsibility to the next generation and we hope our community efforts give them every opportunity to succeed."
Since 2014, the annual drive has collected more than 280,000 pounds of peanut butter, feeding thousands of kids throughout the summer. It's a key part of Ford Focus on Child Hunger, a five-state campaign in the Pacific Northwest by Ford dealers to support their community food banks and make sure no child goes hungry.
Ford Focus on Child Hunger is one of many hunger relief activities supported by Ford Fund across the United States. Through investments in local food banks, including a fleet of 60 Ford Mobile Food Pantries that have served approximately 8 million meals nationwide throughout the past ten years, Ford Fund works with a variety of nonprofits to provide access to food and opportunities that help all people reach their full potential. Ford Fund supports Meals on Wheels in several locations and the Ford Volunteer Corps is also on the job year-round sorting and packing food at food banks, and preparing and serving meals at shelters and soup kitchens.
