Alexandria, VA, March 30, 2015 – For the seventh straight year, Meals on Wheels America was selected as a proud Subaru “Share the Love” event national charity. During the event held from November 20, 2014 through January 2, 2015, Subaru of America, Inc. donated $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased. Customers who purchased or leased a vehicle during that period selected between the participating four national and over 600 Hometown Charities to receive the donation.
“We greatly appreciate Subaru’s ongoing commitment to Meals on Wheels through its annual ’Share the Love’ event,” said Ellie Hollander, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO. “Subaru of America and its local retailers across the country have truly become an extension of the Meals on Wheels family. Even long after this event concludes, Subaru helps us to deliver that warm meal, friendly smile and vital safety check that are so vital to millions of America’s seniors.”
As part of Meals on Wheels America’s receipt of the Subaru funding from the 2014 event, $295,400 in “Share the Love” grants are being awarded to 175 local Meals on Wheels programs that raised awareness and/or actively partnered with local Subaru retailers throughout the campaign. This year’s event saw a substantial jump in Meals on Wheels engagement across the country. Last year, Meals on Wheels America distributed $265,000 in “Share the Love” grants to just 69 participating programs.
Whatcom Council on Aging of Bellingham, Washington was named the top grantee with an award of $35,000. In addition to generating substantial awareness in their community, this “Share the Love” participant partnered with Dewey Griffin Subaru to “Stuff the Trunk” of Subaru vehicles with shelf-stable meals at local grocery stores. Whatcom Council on Aging was able to raise enough food and funds to provide several days-worth of these emergency meals for their seniors.
"Subaru, our retailers, and our owners feel good about giving to organizations like Meals on Wheels, and that’s why we do the Subaru “Share the Love” event,” said Brian Cavallucci, Subaru of America’s National Advertising Manager. “This year, we are happy to donate $1,471,883 to Meals on Wheels America, with the total over the past seven years totaling over $8.4 million. Subaru is honored to be partnered with Meals on Wheels to make a positive impact in local communities and the lives of our elderly loved ones.”
The funds from the 2014 “Share the Love” event will continue to benefit local Meals on Wheels programs throughout the year through additional grant opportunities, Annual Conference scholarships and by sponsoring the organization’s March for Meals annual awareness campaign.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit media.subaru.com.
About Meals on Wheels America (formerly Meals on Wheels Association of America)
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America's seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.