Ford Partners with Feeding America to Make Experiencing the All-New Escape a Charitable Endeavor

(3BL Media) Dearborn, MI - July 31, 2012 - Participants in the 2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive will get to feed people facing hunger this summer, while also getting a chance to experience Ford’s all-new small utility vehicle that is loaded with smart technologies.

Ford and Feeding America^®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, will enable participants in all regions of the United States to host events where guests will be able to drive, walk around, or ride in the all-new Escape. In turn, Ford will provide 40 meals per guest to people at risk of hunger. Ford and Feeding America will help provide more than 1.2 million meals total. Participants will also receive a Ford backpack and automatic entry into a sweepstake.   “Ford has always embraced helping people in need, and this is a good way to give back to the community, while simultaneously showcasing the all-new Escape,” said Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Marketing manager. “For the first time, Ford is linking its charity support with bringing a new vehicle to market.”   Those interested in organizing an event can find information at http://www.escapehungerdrive.com. Event organizers will be fully supported by Ford, which will provide an all-new Escape for their event along with an expert to explain the attributes of the new sport utility vehicle.   “We at Feeding America are proud of our longstanding relationship with Ford,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “Ford has a history of merging transportation with hunger relief efforts, and we are grateful they are extending that partnership linked to the  2013 Escape to help us get food to millions of families struggling with hunger.”   Guests at each Hunger Drive event will have the opportunity to experience the smart features of the all-new Escape. Ford specialists will be at each event to walk participants through the Escape and provide information on the vehicle’s characteristics and technologies including its class-exclusive, hands-free liftgate, fuel-efficient EcoBoost^® engine, active park assist and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®).   These drive-for-charity events could take place anywhere within a supporter’s community. An event could be tied to already-scheduled events at churches, community centers or other civic organizations. The first events are slated to kick off later this month.   Ford Motor Company Fund, in partnership with Newman’s Own, has already provided 103 Ford refrigerated trucks to Feeding America affiliates through an 11-year initiative called Partnership for Hunger Relief. The fleet has delivered more than 176 million meals to families throughout all 50 states.   “We believe it is critical to support people in need and we have been doing so throughout our company’s 108-year history,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.     About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.   About Feeding America Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visithttp://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.