Ford's Ohio Assembly Plant Donates $25,000 To Food Bank

AVON LAKE, OH —The Ford Motor Company's Ohio Assembly Plant will donate $25,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The donation will provide 125,000 meals for families in the region.

In April, as the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic clarified, the city of Avon Lake announced a Jobs Growth Incentive Program. Through the program, Ford Motor Company received a $50,000 award from the city.

“The City of Avon Lake is very pleased that Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant has donated $25,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank,” said Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka. “The plant’s very successful year in 2019 resulted in our grant to Ford, and we are pleased that they are giving back to the region in the time of the covid-19 pandemic. Once again, the Ohio Assembly Plant has demonstrated a commitment to our community. We are all in this together.”

The Avon Lake Jobs Growth Incentive Program was initiated in 2012 and then reauthorized in 2017. Each spring, city officials look at the business income tax for every business in Avon Lake. Every business that sees a year-over-year increase in income tax receives a grant award from the city worth 25 percent of the increase. The maximum award is $50,000. The minimum award is $25.

The program is only open to for-profit companies which have a "substantial part" of their operation in Avon Lake. Home-based businesses do not qualify.

“Our Jobs Growth Incentive Program is unique,” said Economic Development Director Ted Esborn. “It is designed simply to provide a token of appreciation to those companies whose growth has benefited the City. It is inspiring when a company chooses to re-invest their award in the community, which the Ohio Assembly Plant is doing here in a huge way.”

Ford Motor Company has a history of partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, which services northern and central Ohio. Employees of Ford have led Harvest for Hunger campaigns benefiting the nonprofit and have volunteered directly at the organization.

“We are so grateful to UAW/Ford and the Ohio Assembly Plant for this donation. They have been strong and consistent partners,” says Julie Chase-Morefield, president & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “As we slowly make our way back from this emergency, there are many people who will be striving to regain their finances, find another job and get their family back on stable ground. These individuals will still need the help of the food bank. Because of the help from the Ohio Assembly Plant, Second Harvest will continue to be the source of food, supplies and hope.”