Ford and Ford Fund Help Power Relief and Recovery Efforts Following Deadly Tornadoes in the Midwest
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford and its philanthropic organization Ford Fund have taken quick action to help bring aid to communities in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee affected by recent devastating tornadoes. Working closely with emergency response organizations, nonprofit partners, local Ford dealers and regional team members, we can deliver the most effective support to these communities in need. Ford has connected with the nonprofits on the ground and other local support agencies to deploy six 2021 F-150 hybrid pickups equipped with 7.2-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard generators* as part of the company's Ford Force effort.
"Ford has always been driven by the call to serve. We step up when communities need us—and we stay to see it through," said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. "We're committed to providing resources for immediate needs as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. We do this by working at the grassroots level in collaboration with community leaders and trusted nonprofit organizations."
Support has come in from all over the nation, but one of the opportunities is making this all logistically work. The Ford Force vehicles are planned to assist and power-up work sites as part of debris removal and clean-up efforts with the opportunity to help power temporary shelters. Ford Force is the deployment of vehicles following natural disasters, working closely with the Ford Fund and other national teams to support communities in need.
Ford Fund is also contributing $125,000 to aid response and rebuilding efforts in those states, with a focus on the severely damaged areas in western Kentucky. The funding will be shared among the following nonprofits:
- American Red Cross for food, counseling, clothing at their temporary shelters they expect to maintain for several weeks
- Team Rubicon to support first responders and clear emergency routes followed by rebuilding efforts for public sites like hospitals, senior centers and food banks
- ToolBank USA for support of their equipment and trained volunteers who will assist with rebuilding efforts
Collection Drives at Ford Plants
Employees and others interested in supporting relief efforts can donate to the American Red Cross or the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. In Louisville, Ky., Ford and local UAW employees at Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) and Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP) have started collection drives. New and gently used coats and winter clothing, as well as baby formula and diapers, are being collected at LAP this week and the drive will conclude with a gate collection for monetary donations on Thursday. At nearby KTP, the employee resource group Women of Ford is collecting hygiene products for men, women and children in addition to diapers and monetary donations. UAW Local 862, which represents KTP hourly employees, delivered two 30-foot trailers full of supplies to Dawson Springs on Monday.
Ford Credit Payment Relief
Ford Credit has implemented its disaster relief program allowing qualified customers to delay one or two monthly payments, resuming their regular payment schedules when their situations improve. The company will send postcards and/or emails with instructions to request help to eligible Lincoln Automotive Financial Services and Ford Credit customers. Customers may also request help immediately by calling this toll-free number: 1-800-723-4016.
Ford Fund Supports The Red Cross
To assist those affected by disasters, Ford Fund also contributes $500,000 each year to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program. The support helps ensure the organization has needed funds in advance of a disaster to stage an immediate response to help people in need.
A reminder: Ford and Ford Fund are not first responders. Disaster scenes are unstable and often unsafe. The company's focus is to let trained emergency response personnel, such as police and firefighters, stabilize a situation and provide support for their efforts where possible.
*See owner's manual for important operating instructions.