Two dealer organizations this week announced initiatives to help feed people in need.

The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association donated two new Ford Transit delivery vans to Citymeals on Wheels during the opening day ceremonies of last month’s New York International Auto Show.

And Ken Garff Automotive Group has launched its third annual Drive Out Hunger campaign, a program covering the dealership group’s nine-state footprint that aims to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children facing food insecurity.

In New York, the keys to the two vans, together valued at more than $100,000, were presented by New York Auto Show vice chairman Brian Miller to Citymeals on Wheels chairman Daniel Boulud, a Michelin-star chef and New York restauranteur, and Citymeals on Wheels CEO Beth Shapiro.

“New York’s franchised auto dealers are proud to support Citymeals on Wheels and the vital work they do every day,” GNYADA president Mark Schienberg said. “These vehicles will help ensure thousands of older New Yorkers continue to receive the meals and human connection they depend on.”

Daniel Boulud (center), Beth Shapiro and Brian Miller. Photo courtesy of GNYADA.

In a news release, GNYADA said local Ford dealers donated $20,000 to help purchase the delivery vans.

“With these vans we can reach more older New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” Boulud said. “It’s about delivering a meal — but also a moment of connection. We are so grateful to our area’s local auto dealers, who are such great supporters of our mission.”

Citymeals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and personal connection to homebound older New Yorkers. Since 1981, the organization has delivered more than 72 million meals to those who struggle with mobility and access to food, helping them remain in their own homes with dignity.

“This generous donation will have an immediate and meaningful impact on our ability to reach homebound older New Yorkers,” Shapiro said. “Reliable transportation is essential to our mission, and these vehicles will help us deliver not only meals, but also care and connection to those who need it most.”

Ken Garff’s Drive Out Hunger initiative runs through May and June, a time that can be especially challenging for children as students lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they receive during the school year.

According to Feeding America, an estimated one in five children face uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

“Drive Out Hunger is about more than just food,” Ken Garff CEO Brett Hopkins said, “it’s about showing up for our communities and helping ensure that children have the nourishment they need to learn and thrive. We’re hoping to help bridge that critical food gap children and families face during the summer months.”

Ken Garff employees will assemble 9,950 red bags filled with nonperishable food — including oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, cans of tuna, cereal, applesauce and more — and deliver them to students in need at local schools.

The dealerships will also donate financially toward school lunch debt programs to help relieve those financial burdens for families. The company said its contribution through food donations and lunch debt totals $660,000.

In addition to employee-led efforts, each Ken Garff dealership will host a community food drive from May 20-June 20, encouraging customers and local residents to contribute nonperishable food items.

Dealership showrooms will feature a “Fill This Car” display, with the goal of filling a vehicle with donated food to be delivered to nearby food banks.

Drive Out Hunger is part of Ken Garff’s broader We’re “Hear” for You program, an employee-run philanthropic initiative through which employees engage in meaningful, hands-on service to help the local communities and causes they care about. We’re “Hear” for You is a play on the dealership group’s tagline, “We Hear You.”