Toyota USA Foundation Amps Up Ongoing Relief Efforts
Automaker provides $2.5 million to address hunger and e-learning programs nationwide.
Amid growing demand for emergency relief as a result of COVID-19, the Toyota USA Foundation awarded $2.5 million in grants to a variety of nonprofits across the nation. Funds address crucial needs – particularly food assistance – in urban hot spots and in many communities where Toyota operates, as well as e-learning programs to help keep youth engaged.
“We pivoted our foundation’s focus from STEM education to support the surge in demand for food assistance across the country,” said Mike Goss, Toyota USA Foundation president. “As we head into summer, and looking beyond, we also recognized the need to support a variety of e-learning programs with resources to expand access, engage youth and parents, and assist teachers.”
To date, including the above grants, Toyota has provided more than $8 million in funding and in-kind donations, including manufacturing and donating over 500,000 protective face shields for healthcare professionals.
“Along with contributing funding, team members are sharing their amazing spirit and expertise to help with relief efforts,” said Chris Reynolds, chief administrative officer, Manufacturing and Corporate Resources for Toyota Motor North America. “Scaling up the work of nonprofits across the country and helping bring awareness and credible information to understand the risks and share steps on how to avoid contracting the virus is critical to meeting increased needs throughout the country.”
Toyota USA Foundation grants include:
National Grants ($1.2 million)
Toyota USA Foundation grants support emergency relief efforts, particularly for multicultural communities in urban hotspots including, but not limited to, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York City. Grants were awarded to:
- The Salvation Army $700,000
- United Way $500,000 (This is in addition to the previous $500,000 awarded to United Way in March)
“Toyota’s generous donation will provide much-needed relief for those suffering from food insecurity, financial hardship and other effects from the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stan Little, Chief Experience Officer for United Way Worldwide.
Grants in Toyota Operating Communities ($800,000)
Toyota USA Foundation grants address hunger in Toyota’s operational communities in 12 states. Grants include:
- Food Bank of North Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama, $55,000
- United Food Bank, Mesa, Arizona, $55,000
- Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), Hiawatha, Iowa, $55,000
- Tri-State Food Bank Evansville, Indiana, $55,000
- God’s Pantry Food Bank, Lexington, Kentucky, $55,000
- Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore, Maryland, $55,000
- Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, $40,000
- Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, Ypsilanti, Michigan, $25,000
- Bread For Life, Troy, Missouri, $30,000
- Lincoln County Council on Aging, Troy, Missouri $25,000
- Grow North Texas in Dallas, Texas $55,000
- North Texas Food Bank, Plano, Texas $65,000
- VNA Texas Meals on Wheels, Dallas, Texas $30,000
- San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio, Texas $55,000
- Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis, Tennessee, $55,000
- Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA), Jackson, Tennessee, $55,000
- Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry, Welch, West Virginia, $55,000
“Mid-South Food Bank has seen a 207 percent increase in need throughout our service area,” said,” Cathy Pope, President & CEO, Mid-South Food Bank. “The clients before COVID-19 still need us, and people who never dreamed they would need the food bank find themselves really struggling to put food on the table. We are working to meet this increased need over the next six to 12 months as families recover.”
Along with a mobile food pantry launched by Toyota Mississippi and Mid-South Food Bank, Toyota also worked Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Grow North Texas, University of North Texas at Dallas Mobile Market, Veggie Project, and Lonestar Human Services to distribute produce and hygiene packs to families in need in the DFW region.
E-learning Grants
The Toyota USA Foundation also funded:
- Girls Who Code for its new online program – Girls Who Code at Home – and to support video-based activities, $125,000
- Code.org to expand K-12 computer science education in the DFW region by training teachers with its all-new virtual learning program that combines asynchronous learning combined with synchronous, facilitator-led virtual sessions, $125,000
- Science Buddies to create a free online tool for learners to discover STEM pathways and careers, $200,000
- SkillsUSA to expand complimentary access to its signature online program — Career Essentials — to more than 830 students: $50,000
“Our free hands-on STEM activities, which are shorter and typically use materials easily found around a home, make STEM learning more accessible to a variety of diverse audiences,” said Tina Lanese, senior vice president, Science Buddies. “Through this grant we will be able to build on these activities to help learners discover pathways to STEM careers as they engage in activities during this period, into the summer and beyond.”