Boys & Girls Clubs of C.O. receive Ford donation

As part of its commitment that no child should go hungry, especially as the holidays approach, Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $77,500 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

A total of 64 clubs across the five-state region are receiving Ford Fund grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 as part of the Ford Focus on Hunger campaign. This donation will expand the previously launched Ford Focus on Child Hunger campaign and increase the number of children who benefit from this hunger initiative.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is receiving $2,000 from the Ford Motor Company Fund grant, as well as an additional $1,000 from Robberson Ford in Bend.

“As many families prepare for holiday celebrations, others are struggling simply to keep food on the table,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Today’s donation is one more step to support families and children who face food insecurity.”

“Boys and Girls Clubs were selected to receive these funds, as a majority of our teen members (approximately 78%) are considered “low-income” and are constantly at-risk for the side effects associated with malnutrition,” states Jeff Robberson of Roberson Ford. “As studies continually show that poor nutrition can lead to several shortcomings academically and socially, it is important to provide as much nutritional support possible to these youth members. Children who are properly fed and healthy are much more likely to succeed academically, and will help to contribute to society as more productive, caring and responsible citizens.”

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is meeting the basic needs of our Clubs members. This year at our Terrebonne, Redmond, Downtown Bend and East Bend locations, 46,000 meals and 16,000 snacks are feeding youth members 6 -18 years old. It is vital to have good nutrition and have food insecurities in a family reduced so that kids are ready to learn and thrive,” says Lisa Maxwell, Executive Director.

“Funding from the Ford Motor Company will help pay our teen leadership program, Jr. Staff, in learning critical job skills by monitoring and implementing the feeding of their younger peers.”

Ford Fund has donated nearly $420,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs across the country in the past five years alone.