Champion Ford Owensboro is joining a nationwide effort by Ford Motor Company to collect one million pounds of food in just 10 days, with donations benefitting Pleasant Valley Community Church’s food pantry.
The “Fill a Ford Food Drive” runs through September 25, with the dealership aiming to collect at least 400 pounds of nonperishable food. An F-150 truck parked inside the showroom is being filled with donations as the community contributes.
“Ford has challenged all the dealers nationwide to raise one million pounds of food in 10 days,” said Champion owner Duke Brubaker. “Of course, we raised our hands immediately and wanted to be involved. We’ve got an F-150 in the showroom, and we need the public’s help to get us to our goal.”
Brubaker said they are specifically asking for shelf-stable items such as canned goods and boxed foods — but not chips or other bagged snacks — to stock the church’s pantry.
Pleasant Valley Community Church partners with Friends of Sinners to provide ongoing support on the city’s east side, Brubaker said.
“We wanted to find a partner that definitely did some good and is doing good monthly, weekly, and daily in our community, and this organization seems to be doing that,” he said.
Brubaker added that giving back has always been part of Champion Ford’s identity since opening in 1990.
“Being part of the community is very important. We’ve always enjoyed partnerships with organizations like Girls Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club of Owensboro,” he said.
He noted that while many dealerships across the country chose smaller vehicles to fill, Champion Ford opted for the larger F-150.
“It’s a big bed, so we need everybody’s help,” Brubaker said with a laugh.
Donations can be dropped off at Champion Ford, 140 Southtown Boulevard, through September 25.
