Ford Motor Company And Newman's Own® 'Partnership For Hunger Relief' Donates Refrigerated Truck Fleet

DETROIT, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 12th consecutive year, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Newman's Own^®, Inc. are partnering with Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, to donate Ford refrigerated trucks filled with Newman's Own food products. Food banks in four regions are receiving trucks this year including Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

With this year's donation of four Ford F-550 trucks, a total of 107 Ford trucks and vans have been donated to Feeding America food banks to help deliver nutritious perishable foods.

"While there are encouraging signs that we are coming back from the tough economic times of the past several years, many families still are struggling," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. "This partnership is important because it not only provides food to families in need, it also contributes to building stronger communities and a better world."

The partnership between the two companies began 12 years ago when Paul Newman reached out to see how Ford Motor Company could join with Newman's Own to address the critical need for fresh and nutritious food for families facing hunger. Since then Feeding America has been able to deliver more than 209 million meals to families across the country.

"Meeting the needs of those who don't have access to perishable foods was important to Paul Newman at the beginning of the program, and now, with an increased nationwide need, it's become even more critical," said Tom Indoe, president and chief operating officer of Newman's Own. "Newman's Own is proud to be part of this partnership."

The refrigerated trucks allow for delivery of perishable food to hard-to-reach communities that often are underserved, as well as urban and suburban areas where there is an urgent need for nutritious food. Besides Gleaners, other food banks receiving trucks this fall are Feeding America San Diego, Feeding South Florida in Miami and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

"Some of the largest increases in food need are in suburban Detroit communities, many of which lack a strong network of emergency food providers," says W. DeWayne Wells, president of Gleaners. "We're grateful to Ford and Newman's Own for this donation, and for continuing to strengthen the emergency food network here and across the country."

"We have seen a dramatic rise in the number of people raising their hands seeking food assistance from the Feeding America network. Today, we are feeding 37 million people each year – that's an increase of 1 million people from four years ago," said Matt Knott, interim president and CEO of Feeding America. "Ford Motor Company and Newman's Own have been longtime, generous supporters of our mission. We continue to build partnerships like this to help our food banks provide more donated food to help feed more people in need."

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Newman's Own^®, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, offers more than 100 varieties of great-tasting, all-natural food and beverage products, including salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, thin & crispy frozen pizzas, frozen skillet meals, microwave popcorn and refrigerated lemonades. Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all profits to charity. More than $350 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982. For more information, visit www.newmansown.com.

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, founded in 1977, is one of the oldest and largest food banks in the country. Today it distributes more than 46 million pounds of emergency food annually, equivalent to 100,000 meals per day. Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates a total of five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties, which provide food to over 600 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Of every dollar donated, Gleaners uses 94 cents for food and food programs. One dollar provides three meals for a hungry neighbor. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica

SOURCE Ford Motor Company