Chapman Partnership will expand its delivery food service and conduct more food donation pickups with a new Transit Connect van donated by Ford. Part of Ford’s and Ford Motor Company Fund’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity, including a nationwide network of more than 50 mobile food pantries, the van is one of six donated to organizations that provide hunger relief services.
The Transit Connect van will help the Chapman Partnership conduct more efficient and frequent food donation pickups and deliver food to more than 90 homeless families living in local hotels. Chapman Partnership receives more than 200,000 pounds of donated food a year.
“Donations such as these are essential for Chapman Partnership to continue to fulfill its mission of providing programs and services for Miami’s homeless population so they can go on to lead independent lives,” said H. Daniel Vincent, president and CEO of Chapman Partnership. “We are extremely grateful to Ford as well as to Lillian and Gus Machado of Machado Ford for their generosity and support. Public-private partnerships are essential in helping the homeless population in our communities.”
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Machado of Gus Machado Ford, longtime supporters of Chapman Partnership, recommended Chapman to be the recipient of the donated van.
Each Transit Connect van offers 103.9 cubic feet of cargo space and is capable of carrying 1,470 pounds, which equals more than 1,100 meals per vehicle per trip.
Ford and Ford Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, help strengthen communities by assisting hunger relief agencies yearround.
“The first step in creating a better world is helping to fulfill the most basic needs of our neighbors,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Motor Company Fund. “More than 48 million Americans live in fear of going hungry each day and these vehicles will deliver meals — not just during this season of giving but throughout the year.”
Since 1995, Chapman Partnership has admitted more than 100,000 homeless people, 20,000 of which were children. This past year, they provided 800,000 meals to homeless children, men, women and families and have placed 322 residents in jobs with 284 local employers.
