FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Lin Rose
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
313 515 0880 (cell)
Lin.rose@ymcadetroit.org
Max Muncey
LaFontaine Automotive Group
248 763 6116 (cell)
mmuncey@lafontaine.com
YMCA Prepares Baskets of Healthy Foods for Thanksgiving
LaFontaine Automotive Group Donation Provides the Means to Deliver Food All Year Long
DETROIT, Mich., November 12, 2018 – YMCA staff and volunteers will assemble fresh, healthy Thanksgiving baskets to distribute to needy families on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The event will take place at the Boll Family YMCA, located in Detroit, and the public is welcome to participate.
“The baskets will be filled with fresh produce from local farms and other staples and delivered to families in Detroit and Pontiac,” said Lisa Senac, Executive Director of Healthy Living and Life Skills for the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “Anyone interested in volunteering can go to signupgenius.com and become part of this meaningful event.”
The Metropolitan Detroit YMCA, together with community partners, Gleaners Food Bank, Peacock Farms and Verellen Orchards & Cider set out to create a package that includes everything needed for a Thanksgiving feast. Baskets include eggs, squash, greens, potatoes, onions, and other fruits and vegetables. Also included will be pantry items like salt and pepper, herbs, oil, flour, baking tins, tin foil, potato peelers, and, of course, a turkey.
“The Fresh Baskets effort would not be possible without the support of our community partners,” said Scott Landry, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “This program however, is only one example of the many food programs the Y executes, providing healthy meals year-round, in particular to children. The donation of a van by LaFontaine Automotive Group has been essential in our ability to provide meals to metro-Detroit kids who can benefit from this program.”
“The van is used year-round to visit after-school programs in at-risk areas and is vital to our summer meals program in Detroit and Pontiac,” continued Landry. “We are grateful that LaFontaine shares the Y’s vision of helping our youth be healthy and well fed.”
“Supporting organizations making a positive impact in our local communities is a cornerstone of what we’re blessed to be able to do at LaFontaine Automotive Group,” said Ryan LaFontaine, Chief Operating Officer, LaFontaine Automotive Group. “Everyone should have the same opportunity to eat healthy, nourishing meals, at Thanksgiving and year-round. Our partnership with the YMCA will allow more families to lead healthier lives.”
In a three months period, since the donation of the vehicle, the LaFontaine van delivered:
- 33,000+ meals, touching people in four counties (52 different sites in the metro area)
- Feeding over 4,500 kids
The LaFontaine vehicle will also assist in picking up and delivering the Fresh Baskets food to the Boll YMCA which will be delivered to homes by volunteers and nourish close to 500 individuals this holiday season.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Throughout Metro Detroit, Ys engage more than 100,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in communities throughout Metro Detroit, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymcadetroit.org
About LaFontaine Automotive Group
Founded in 1980, the award winning and nationally recognized LaFontaine Automotive Group includes 39 franchises, 20 locations, 5 body shops and employs over 1,300 Michigan residents. The “LaFontaine Family Deal” delivers an automotive sales and service experience that delivers trust and convenience for our guests and employees. www.familydeal.com
