Mobility Solutions That Expand Access To Food

Partnerships with Feeding America^®, DoorDash and local food banks focus on mobility solutions to expand access for communities experiencing food insecurity
Ford is committed to building strong communities everywhere its employees live and work. Its 24 U.S. plant communities are active in supporting local causes and that philanthropic spirit drives these investments in cities where the company has a manufacturing presence
Ford Fund to invest $2.3 million to expand access to fresh food, including $1.25 million in innovation grants to Feeding America food banks and $320,000 to support home meal delivery in collaboration with DoorDash

Ford Motor Company Fund (Ford Fund), the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, announced today a $2.3 million investment in mobility solutions focused on expanding access to fresh food in cities where Ford has manufacturing plants.

Ford is committed to building strong communities everywhere its employees live and work. The company employs more UAW-represented autoworkers than any other company, and its 24 U.S. plant communities are active in supporting local causes. That same philanthropic spirit is driving these investments in cities where the company has a manufacturing presence.

Today, more than 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, are experiencing food insecurity. In honor of Hunger Action Month this September, Ford Fund is announcing partnerships with food banks, DoorDash and Feeding America^® to help individuals and families facing hunger access the food they need through mobile delivery. By investing in mobility solutions, Ford Fund and its partners are deploying transportation and technology resources to food banks to help bridge the gap between access to transportation and food.

“More and more people are facing hunger across the U.S. today, causing an unprecedented strain on families and food banks across the country,” said Luisa Schumacher, senior manager of essential services at Ford Fund. “We are committed to working shoulder to shoulder with local organizations to address the rise in food insecurity and reach more people in our Ford communities.”

As part of this announcement, Ford Fund is committing $320,000 to local food banks in Detroit, Louisville, Memphis and West Tennessee to broaden access to meals using home delivery. Through a collaboration with DoorDash’s Project DASH, Ford Fund’s investment will help empower food banks and food pantries to leverage DoorDash logistics to increase access to food services in their communities.

DoorDash is a pioneering leader in the mobile food-delivery sector. DoorDash drivers, also known as Dashers, will deliver food and fresh produce from participating food banks to nearly 2,500 households per month, including catering to transportation-limited individuals and families.

Participating food banks include:

Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville
Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
Mid-South Food Bank in Western Tennessee

“We’re proud to partner with food banks and Ford Fund to power the delivery of food to households across the U.S.,” said Daniel Riff, senior manager, DoorDash Drive Government and Nonprofit. “Local delivery has helped anti-hunger organizations break down transportation barriers and provide important resources to people in a dignified and convenient way.”

Ford Fund is also committing $1.25 million in innovation grants to Feeding America food banks in Ford’s home-base communities later this year. The grants will enable food banks to create and scale innovative mobility solutions that address food insecurities, such as access to fresh food in areas where it is otherwise unavailable. Participating food banks will be located in upstate New York, Illinois, Ohio, Southeast Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and South Florida.

“People are working hard to provide for themselves and their families,” said Casey Marsh, chief development officer, Feeding America. “This partnership with Ford Fund, and the challenges we’ll meet together, bring us one step closer to an America where no one is hungry.”

Ford Fund is committing the remaining investments to partnerships with:

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
Fishes and Loaves in Southeast Michigan
Detroit Food Academy
The Salvation Army Bed and Bread Club
Eastern Market in Detroit

Ford Fund has a long history of supporting local communities through food services as part of its network of Ford Resource and Engagement Centers, which bring nonprofits, residents and leaders together to support their neighborhoods. In partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, a community-based food bank in Detroit, Ford’s community resource centers in Southwest Detroit and on Detroit’s east side distribute food to 1,500 families every week via client pickup and home delivery for under-served and transportation-limited residents.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.wide.