Hunger Free Vermont named finalist in Toyota's Cars for Good program

South Burlington-based Hunger Free Vermont announced today that it has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyotaâ s100 Cars for Goodprogram, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving away 100 cars over the course of 100 days.Hunger Free Vermont was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide.
Each day, beginning May 14, 2012,100 Cars for Goodwill profile five finalists at100carsforgood.com.Individual members of the public will be able to vote for which ever nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models. Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.
Hunger Free Vermont will be up for consideration on June 1st from 12 am to 11:59 pm.
â Everyone at Hunger Free Vermont is thrilled to have been selected as a finalist for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program,’said Marissa Parisi, Executive Director of Hunger Free Vermont. â Weâ re grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase the reach of our work throughout the state and hopefully win a car to help us increase our impact. We hope everyone will help us spread the word now and, of course, will make time to visit100carsforgood.comon June 1 to vote for us. A new vehicle would really be a game changer for our ability to reach every corner of the state with our outreach, education, and advocacy which ensures that all Vermonters have the food and nutrition they need to grow and thrive.â
â At Toyota, we appreciate what a significant impact a new car can have for nonprofits nationwide,’noted Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor Sales, USA â Toyota has donated more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits across the US over the past 20 years, and100 Cars for Goodallows us to expand that commitment to local communities in important new ways. The 500 finalists are an extraordinary group, and we look forward to the public learning more about them.â
100 Cars for Goodis the first initiative to directly engage the public to determine how Toyotaâ s philanthropic donations are awarded.
For more information on Hunger Free Vermont and its efforts to win one of Toyotaâ s100 Cars for Good, please visit hungerfreevt.org.For complete information on100 Cars for Goodand profiles of all 500 finalists, please visit www.100carsforgood.com.
Local residents are encouraged to support Hunger Free Vermont and their quest for a new Toyota Prius V or Toyota Camry Hybrid. If Hunger Free Vermont receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used to do statewide outreach to ensure all Vermonters receive healthy meals at home, in school, child care, and during out-of-school time. Additionally, Hunger Free Vermont travels to offer cooking and nutrition education classes to teach parents and kids how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget.
A six-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.
About Hunger Free Vermont
Hunger Free Vermont (formerly the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger) is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to end the injustice of hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. Since 1993 Hunger Free Vermontâ s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermontâ s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods.www.hungerfreevt.org
About Toyota
Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the US and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from US suppliers totals more than $23 billion.
Toyotais deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the US.
For more information on Toyota, please visitwww.toyota.com.
About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)
TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota and Lexus in the US, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust and extended service contracts and other payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). TFS employs 3,300 associates nationwide, and has managed assets totaling more than $91 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Hunger Free Vermont. 4.26.2012.