Detroit-area Ford dealerships are joining forces this week for a global food drive aimed at restocking local pantries, with 44 locations across Southeast Michigan participating in the effort.
Brian Godfrey, president of Pat Milliken Ford and Ford of Macomb, said the initiative began last year as a way to unite dealers around a shared cause.
“Ford dealers have always given back to their local communities. But the idea that Ford came up with last year was to get all of the dealers, not just in Detroit, but around the world, to combine on one initiative together. And there is food insecurity everywhere.”
Godfrey said the money and food raised locally stays close to home. “The great thing is the food that’s raised in this community stays in this community.”
He said the timing of the drive underscores its urgency amid ongoing economic pressures. “If you can’t feed yourself and feed your family, you can’t get anywhere in life.”
Each participating dealership has placed a vehicle on its showroom floor to be filled with non-perishable donations. “We’ve got a vehicle sitting on the showroom floor. We’re trying to fill that vehicle up with non-perishable food items.”
Once the drive wraps in two days, the collected goods will be delivered to local food banks, including Forgotten Harvest.
To boost turnout, dealers are sweetening the deal with a raffle. “If you bring 10 items in, you get entered into an opportunity to win 4 Lions tickets for the Thanksgiving Day game.”
For Godfrey, the payoff goes beyond the donations themselves. “It feels good to me, to my family, to all of our employees.”
He added that the drive reflects a long-standing commitment to the region. “We’ve been part of the fabric of this community for so long, and the dealers love to give back.”
Residents can donate at any of the 44 participating Ford dealerships or find more information by clicking here.