Ford Partners with Food Provider Nonprofits to Deliver 5,000 Meals to Miami Families in Need

Earlier this month, as part of Ford’s commitment to strengthen local communities across the U.S., the Blue Oval brand announced that they were joining forces with food-providing nonprofits Health in the Hood and World Central Kitchen in order to deliver 5,000 healthy, fresh, pre-prepared meals to needy families throughout Miami-Dade County.

Ford has partnered with these organizations in an effort to run a mobilized delivery service that will run for eight weeks and complement Health in the Hood’s existing distribution program. Meals will be delivered via Ford Transit Connect to over 60 families weekly who are living in “food deserts.”

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in food insecurity in Miami due to job loss,” said Asha Walker, the Founder and CEO of Health in the Hood. “By teaming up with corporate community partners like Ford, we are able to mobilize our food pantry and provide additional access to families who might have otherwise not have been able to receive the meals.”

World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis, is providing the pre-prepared, fresh meals in addition to their ongoing Miami mission. Ford Fund, the automaker’s philanthropic arm, will be donating $25,000 to help kick off the effort.

“This program builds on Ford and Ford Fund’s long-term commitment to the Miami community,” said Joe Avila, manager, U.S. & Latin America, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Using our collective resources and expertise, we are able to provide a much-needed service for local families, who now have access to quality meals provided by Health in the Hood and World Central Kitchen.”

So far, the Ford Motor Company has invested more than $8 million in Miami-Dade County and the Miami area as a whole. The finances have been used to boost education, provide disaster relief, and advance social entrepreneurship.