Detroit Lions, Ford Fund Unite To Feed Hungry In Detroit

The Detroit Lions and Ford Fund announced a new partnership surrounding their efforts to address food insecurity and hunger in Detroit.

Starting Tuesday, July 15, the Detroit Lions and Ford Motor Company will join forces to bring awareness to Detroit's existing Meet Up & Eat Up program. In partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Eastern Market, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Fair Food Network, Playworks Detroit, and Wayne State University School of Medicine the program will see a significant boost in participation from both brands.

"This partnership marks a collaboration of two historical organizations with deep community roots and a commitment to the resurgence of Detroit and the health and wellness of our fans and customers," said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. "We look forward to combining and advancing our efforts in support of hunger relief in southeast Michigan."

This partnership will bring together the resources and assets of the Ford Mobile Food Pantry and the Lions Living for the City program.

"Ford is partnering with the Detroit Lions to help eradicate food insecurity and teach nutrition education in our local community," said Jim Vella, President Ford Motor Company Fund. "Ford is focused on hunger as part of our ongoing commitment to driving a brighter future for our region. Ford has a fleet of Transit Connect Mobile Food Pantries in Southeast Michigan that deliver 1.3 million meals through organizations that feed the hungry."

Throughout the remaining summer season, both the Detroit Lions and Ford Motor Company will be present at eight sites with Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Lions players and alumni and Play 60 activities led by Playworks Detroit. The Meet Up & Eat Up program will continue into the fall at Eastern Market and will include Detroit Lions players and alumni, mascot Roary and Lions Executive Chef Joe Nader in a full day of activities at Detroit Eastern Market's Tuesday Market. A co-branded Ford Transit will also be unveiled in the fall to assist in transporting and delivering meals to the community.

The Lions and Ford Fund partnership kicked off with the second annual Taste of the Lions event on May 20^that Ford Field which was presented by Ford Motor Company. The event raised $100,000 and benefited Detroit Eastern Market and their community programming surrounding food insecurity.

Additional Meet Up & Eat Up summer dates includes:

Butzel Family Center, Tuesday, July 15^th, 12-1 pm
Patton Center, Wednesday, July 16^th, 12-1 pm
Corrigan Playground, Tuesday, July 29^th, 11 am-12 pm
New Breed Community Development Corporation, Wednesday, July 30^th, 1-2 pm
Martin Luther King Apartment Complex, Tuesday, July 22^nd, 11:35 am-12:35 pm
ACTS Woodbridge Community Youth Center, Wednesday, July 23^rd, 11 am-12 pm
Adams Butzel, Tuesday, August 5^th, 12-1 pm
Lasky Center, Wednesday, August 6^th, 12-1 pm

In:
• Detroit Lions