Addressing Summer Food Insecurity: The Ken Garff Automotive Group “Drive Out Hunger” Initiative

As summer approaches, many families face a critical gap in nutritional support when school-provided meal programs pause. To combat this seasonal challenge, the Ken Garff Automotive Group has launched its annual “Drive Out Hunger” campaign, a multi-state effort designed to provide consistent food access for students in need.

A Strategic Approach to Community Support

The “Drive Out Hunger” initiative represents a significant logistical effort across the Ken Garff Automotive Group’s network. Employees at seven participating dealerships—including Dewey, Stew Hansen, and Southtown locations—are currently coordinating the assembly and distribution of 1,100 bags filled with nonperishable food items. By targeting students who rely on school meals, the campaign aims to mitigate the uptick in food insecurity that typically occurs during summer months.

This initiative is not a localized effort but a broad, multi-state program. Now entering its third year of operation, the campaign spans across nine states. Since its inception, the group has successfully contributed a total of $660,000 in both food supplies and direct funding to support local communities.

How the Campaign Operates

The “Drive Out Hunger” campaign utilizes the reach of the automotive group’s dealerships to serve as hubs for community engagement. Beyond the assembly of food bags, participating locations have organized community food drives running from May 20 to June 20. These drives feature “Fill This Car” donation displays, which serve as visual reminders to encourage customers and community members to contribute to nearby food banks.

Key Takeaways of the Initiative

• Scope: The campaign operates across nine states, leveraging the footprint of the Ken Garff Automotive Group.
• Duration: The community food drive component runs annually from May 20 through June 20.
• Impact: Over the past three years, the group has provided $660,000 in total aid to combat food insecurity.
• Focus: The primary objective is to bridge the nutritional gap for students during the summer break.

The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility

The commitment shown by organizations like the Ken Garff Automotive Group highlights the growing role of private-sector entities in addressing systemic social issues. By utilizing their existing infrastructure—such as showroom space for donation displays and employee networks for logistics—dealerships can provide immediate, tangible relief to local hunger-relief organizations.

As the “Drive Out Hunger” campaign continues to scale, it serves as a model for how regional businesses can effectively align their corporate social responsibility goals with the immediate needs of their local communities. By focusing on the specific, predictable period of summer food insecurity, the group ensures that their resources are deployed when students are most vulnerable to losing access to essential daily meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of the “Drive Out Hunger” campaign?
The campaign aims to alleviate food insecurity among students during the summer months when school-provided meal programs are unavailable.

How can the community get involved?
Community members can participate by visiting participating Ken Garff dealerships between May 20 and June 20 to contribute to the “Fill This Car” donation displays.

How long has this campaign been active?
The initiative is currently in its third year of operation.