DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• Hundreds of Ford volunteers are stepping away from their jobs and going to work in soup kitchens, food banks and shelters on a Ford Accelerated Action Day 
• Ford employees are working in MODEL Teams at more than three dozen locations around Metro Detroit.
• Ford and its employees participate in many hunger-relief efforts throughout the year, donating vehicles, dollars and manpower to help our communities  

The Ford Volunteer Corps is cooking, and also serving meals and stocking shelves on a Ford Accelerated Action Day dedicated to feeding the hungry.

More than 600 Ford employees have teamed up with nonprofit hunger relief partners in our communities to feed men, women and children in need. MODEL Teams of Ford volunteers are stocking warehouse shelves at food banks, cooking and serving meals at shelters and packing food boxes for delivery to those who struggle every day to find food for themselves and their families.  

"Ford and its employees are making a difference and stepping up once again to help bring back some of the joy of the season that is missing for many of our neighbors," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "We are grateful that we have resources and helping hands to share with the less fortunate in our communities."

Many of the organizations participating in today's volunteer effort will share more than $53,000 in Ford grants to buy the food and materials needed to complete their projects. Those partners include:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit - Pack emergency food boxes & help distribute
City Mission, Detroit - Prepare holiday dinner, fill pantry and stockings
COTS, Detroit - Prepare & serve holiday meal, pack food boxes
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Detroit - Help pack food boxes
Focus: HOPE, Detroit - Pack holiday food boxes & deliver to needy seniors
Food Gatherers, Ann Arbor – Pack 720 food boxes, each with 25 meals
Lighthouse of Oakland County, Pontiac - Sort & stock pantry & food storages areas
Matrix Human Services, Detroit - Assemble, wrap & distribute 300 food baskets
Ruth Ellis Center, Highland Park - Prepare meals & care packages for homeless youth
Salvation Army - Harbor Light, Detroit - Pack lunches, ride Bed & Bread truck, distribute food
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Detroit - Sort & pack emergency food packs at Gleaners
Southwest Housing Solutions, Detroit - Decorate, assemble holiday kits & host a party
Starfish Family Services, Inkster - Process 30,000 pounds of food, assemble pantry shelving
Veteran's Haven, Westland - Pack 200 "Pantry Packs" at Gleaners for needy vets
Vista Maria, Dearborn Hts. - Install holiday decorations outdoors; cook with girls

This is one of many efforts supported by Ford and its employees throughout the year to help feed the hungry, including a 12 year partnership with Newman's Own® that has contributed 107 refrigerated Ford trucks to help Feeding America deliver more than 209 million meals to families across the country. Ford Motor Company Fund also has provided Transit Connect Mobile Food Pantries to 25 community organizations that deliver food and help with disaster relief in states from coast to coast.

In addition to today's activities, the Ford Volunteer Corps held a Winter Coat and Jacket Drive in southeast Michigan to help keep children and families warm during the winter months.

"It isn't easy seeing so many of our neighbors hungry or down on their luck," said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. "But Ford and its employees care, and it is gratifying to see our volunteers pitching in and comforting so many. It makes all of us truly thankful and appreciative for what we have."

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in more than 20 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company