Cheyenne, Wyo. – Ken Garff Automotive Group is once again extending its reach past its showrooms and vehicle lots as the third annual “drive out hunger” is now underway.
Ken Garff Automotive Group Sales Associate Mikayla Harris states, “1 in 5 kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from. So that’s just something Ken Garff wants to help out with.”
Local Ken Garff dealerships are once again getting in on this multi-state initiative aimed at combating child food insecurity that is now in its third year.
Employees from the local Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai Ken Garff branches are working together to purchase non-perishable food, prep and then deliver to students.
“We’re all going to get together, bag up these foods for the kids, and then we’re going to go to a local school here, and we’re going to distribute them out. It’ll be about 20 meals per kid this summer,” adds Harris.
Representatives say 600 bags will be filled for kids at Goins Elementary as summer vacation rapidly approaches, totaling out to what is stated as a $20,000 investment.
However there is a little bit more to this campaign, as a “fill this car” display will be out encouraging residents to donate nonperishable items for food banks, with the goal being to literally fill the car.
Wyoming News Now spoke to two hunger relief agencies within Cheyenne, who tell us that food drives help day to day operations immensely.
Needs inc. Executive Director Kristen-Erin Balderaz tells WNN, “the more food drives that we get that we have for us that benefit the hunger relief agencies here in Laramie County, the better, because that means more yeses that we can give.”
According to Balderaz when a surplus of stock comes in from drives, it often leads to residents receiving food easier, as she states, “we don’t have to make anybody do anything that they might not be able to do, like provide documentation or something like that. People can just express the need and we can meet them.”
For Meals on Wheels WNN is told food drives often act as a somewhat of a bonus, as although they make and deliver lunch and dinner, they like to see their clients who can, be independent.
Events and Program Director for Meals on Wheels Rhianna Brand explains, “though most of our clients are homebound and disabled, some of them can do some cooking. So it’s important for us to be able to fill their pantries.”
The “fill this car” display will run from May 20th to June 20th at all three local Ken Garff locations.
Dining and Cooking