Connecticut Food Bank Goes the Extra Mile
with Help from the Ford Motor Company Fund
Hunger-relief organization awarded $28,500 grant
WALLINGFORD, CONN., November 17, 2015 – The Connecticut Food Bank is among several New England area food banks to be provided a $28,500 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund in an effort to help deliver more meals to the 1 in 7 people in Connecticut who face hunger. The Ford Motor Company Fund, the charitable arm of Ford Motor Company, is expanding its commitment in the fight to end hunger in America by donating to the Connecticut Food Bank and other the Feeding America® member food banks.
The grant will help the food bank provide nutritious food to people in six of Connecticut’s eight counties, working with some 700 community-based partners and programs. The Connecticut Food Bank provides food to more than 300,000 people each year, working with programs like food pantries, meal programs, community centers and shelters to help distribute food to people in need.
“We are thankful to The Ford Motor Company Fund for its support. For the more than 300,000 people in our area who may not know where they’ll find their next meal, the Connecticut Food Bank strives to be the resource they can depend on. This gift will help us deliver even more food and meals to our neighbors in need,” said Paul O’Leary, Interim CEO with the Connecticut Food Bank.
Ford’s expanded investments in the New England region are part of Ford Fund’s Operation Better World initiative. Launched in 2008, the Operation Better World framework enables the Ford Fund, Ford dealers and other groups to collaborate on a strategic approach to philanthropy and more effectively meet community needs. In addition to the New England region, the Ford Fund has launched Operation Better World programs in 25 cities and regions across the U.S.
“Each year, 48 million Americans – including more than 15 million children – struggle with hunger,” said Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Assisting communities in times of need is core to our mission, and we are proud to team up with the Connecticut Food Bank in the fight against hunger.”
The Connecticut Food Bank is a member of Feeding America®, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization, and provides 23 million pounds of food each year to help hungry people in six of eight Connecticut counties. The Connecticut Food Bank distributes food through a network of partner agencies. The Connecticut Food Bank also directly distributes food through its Mobile Pantry program; its GROW Up With Good Nutrition program for families with young children; the Kids’ BackPack program to bridge the weekend meal gap for children receiving free meals at school; and a supplemental foods program for income-limited seniors.
In photo at top of page:
Connecticut Food Bank Major Gifts Officer Michael Davidow, at far left, joined representatives of Ford Motor Company and several other New England area food banks at a special event for grant recipients at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
About the Connecticut Food Bank:
The Connecticut Food Bank is the state’s non-profit leader in the fight against hunger and the largest provider of charitable food donations. Some 700 partners and programs depend on the Connecticut Food Bank as a lifeline to nutritious food for the communities they serve. The Connecticut Food Bank partnered last year with retailers, donors, volunteers and growers to provide enough food to prepare more than 18 million meals to more than 300,000 people across 127 cities and towns in six Connecticut counties. Visit us on the web at www.ctfoodbank.org, like us Facebook and follow @CTFoodBank on Twitter.
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