• Customized Ford Transit features a sink, refrigerator and service window
  • Ford donated to campaign that raised funds for the van and Ford volunteers helped serve meals from the Transit during its first night in service
  • The Salvation Army serves an average of 150 meals every night of the year to homeless men and women throughout Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. , Oct. 12, 2015 - A Ford Transit van specially customized with a sink, refrigerator, food preparation space, service window and cabinets is helping to serve mobile meals to Washington, D.C.'s homeless as part of The Salvation Army's Grate Patrol program.

The program, which runs every night of the year, delivers an average of 150 nutritious meals, snacks and hydration a day to men and women at multiple locations throughout downtown D.C.

Ford is among the primary contributors to The Salvation Army's campaign to fund the custom meal service van project, and Ford volunteers helped serve meals from the Transit during its first night in service.

'Ford is proud to support The Salvation Army's mobile meals program as part of our commitment to help build strong communities everywhere our employees live and work,' said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. 'Transit - America's best-selling commercial van - has the size and flexibility that make it the right vehicle for this program.'

The high-roof, extended-wheelbase Ford Transit 350 HD with 3.5-liter V6 engine replaces Grate Patrol's previous van that was retired last summer after 10 years in service. Ford Transit is the successor to Ford E-Series, continuing Ford's 36 years as America's commercial van leader.

The Salvation Army distributed more than 1.3 million meals to the homeless and others in need of something to eat since Grate Patrol began more than three decades ago.

'The Salvation Army is grateful to Ford Motor Company for its generous donation to our Grate Patrol van campaign,' said Major Lewis R. Reckline, area commander, The Salvation Army. 'Ford's gift - along with contributions from several other community members - will help us to continue serving the homeless for years to come.'

The Salvation Army assisted more than 77,000 individuals last year by providing a diverse range of services. Full-time outreach coordinators connect clients to needed services including referrals for medical, mental health and addiction treatment; assistance with employment and permanent supportive housing applications; and transportation funds for job interviews.

Individuals can make a donation by visiting SalvationArmyNCA.org or calling (800) SAL-ARMY.

# # #

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command
 The Salvation Army assisted more than 77,000 individuals last year by providing a diverse range of services. Employees and volunteers provide compassionate care to everyone in need of help without discrimination. We offer meals and services to the homeless and emergency assistance to individuals and families (rent, utilities, and food). The Salvation Army provides transitional shelter for mothers and their children; addiction treatment for adults; emergency disaster relief, and youth enrichment through music, arts, and education. Make a donation by visiting SalvationArmyNCA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Connect with us and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube using keyword SalArmyNCA.

distributed by