Ford Fund supports child nutrition, feed hungry kids

As many Detroiters continue to face food insecurity issues, Ford Motor Company Fund is contributing US$ 100,000 toward an infant formula program at Gleaners Community Food Bank - enough to feed more than 7,000 babies for two weeks.

Ford employees are
supplementing the contribution with hundreds of pounds of formula and thousands of diapers, collected during the annual Diaper & Formula Drive organized by the Ford Volunteer Corps, as part of a Ford Accelerated Day focused on children and families. Diapers are not included in most assistance programs and that added cost can stretch a household budget to the breaking point for families struggling to feed their children.

In all, more than 7,000 cans of formula and thousands of diapers will be delivered to non-profit agencies throughout southeast Michigan today by the local fleet of Ford Mobile Food Pantries, which is coordinated by United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

"Healthy, nutritious foods are often difficult to find for families living in economically depressed neighborhoods," said Janet Lawson, Director, Ford Volunteer Corps. "Ford's donation will provide essential nutrition and a healthy start to infants who are at the most critical stage in their development."

"Hungry kids struggle more in school, are more prone to behavioral problems and are less likely to live healthy, successful lives than children who regularly eat well," said Gerry Brisson, President, Gleaners Community Food Bank. "More than 40 per cent of the people we serve are children and this generous donation from Ford Fund, the largest formula donation we have received this year, will go a long way toward bridging the gap in infant nutrition in our community."

Posted in: Charity,Detroit,Ford,Ford Fund,Janet Lawson,North America