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Ford Fund, Ford Employees Pitch in to Battle Virus in Southern California

Donation match program adds resources, weapons to fight back against pandemic

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Ford Fund's COVID-19 Donation Match program has topped $230,000 in contributions from donors around the world. The global effort is catching on with people and nonprofit organizations in many communities battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Three people spaced 6 ft. apart, holding carryout food in bags, standing in front of the side of the wrapped Boys and Girls Club of the South Coast Area van

 

One example of the positive impact is the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area in San Clemente, California, where Ford Fund is supporting the club's coronavirus response. The organization has delivered more than 5,000 meals and activity kits to members and local families in need as part of their COVID-19 Emergency Food Program.

Match funds for the club will allow continuation of the meal distribution and activity kit programs, and support measures that will eventually allow the club to reopen to members once it's safe.

When the initial goal of a $15,000 Ford Fund match was surpassed, the club's board members then took another step of their own, putting in place a second $15,000 match. That brings the potential match total benefitting the kids and families to $60,000.

"We recognize that in the midst of these challenging times, our priority is to deliver nourishment and enrichment to families who need it," said Terry Hughes, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area. "Thank you to all who are supporting us, including the Ford Fund, and to our amazing team for spending their days assembling and delivering care packages."

The Boys & Girls Club has been closed since March 16, the same day emergency food deliveries began. A Ford Transit – purchased with donations from Tuttle-Click Ford and two local charities and wrapped by Capistrano Ford – is loaded up each day with food and supplies and distributed to families. The club is also providing virtual programming for members.

Ford Fund's COVID-19 Donation Match has the potential to raise $1 million for organizations fighting COVID-19. Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford will match $500,000 in donations to designated community organizations in more than 20 countries around the world.

To learn more about Ford Fund's response to COVID-19 and ways you can help, visit fordfund.org/covid19.