Toyota/Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association board president Ed Fitzpatrick says that because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are “vulnerable and in a state of economic instability.”

Because of that, the association, which represents the needs of minority dealers within Toyota and Lexus, is working with The Salvation Army to fill the pantries of families in need during the crisis.

TLMODA dealers and The Salvation Army on Friday will distribute more than 4,800 packages in 24 communities throughout the country.

Toyota and Lexus dealership staff during TLMODA's National COVID-19 Day of Service will distribute grocery boxes of non-perishable items. The boxes include items such as cereal and canned goods to help feed a family of four for a week.

Local Salvation Army teams will pack and assemble items for the grocery boxes in accordance with safety guidelines from local, state and federal health officials.

The Salvation Army is instructing families in need of food to pick up their grocery box at a participating Toyota or Lexus dealership. To maintain social distance protocols, boxes will be placed in the trunk of each family’s vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies are exhausted. To qualify for a grocery box, all families must contact their local Salvation Army. 

"Across the country, the economic impact of this pandemic continues to impact families, both those who were already experiencing the challenges of poverty, and some who are experiencing them for the first time," Salvation Army national commander David Hudson said in a news release.

Hudson continued, “We are extremely grateful for the support of organizations like TLMODA so we can continue to meet the evolving needs of the most vulnerable.”

“The COVID-19 Day of Service represents the TLMODA members’ collective compassion and responsibility to give back to the community,” TLMODA’s Fitzpatrick said.

TLMODA COVID-19 Day of Service dealerships locations include:

Alabama: Lexus of Huntsville

Arizona: Sierra Toyota

California: Coliseum Lexus of Oakland; Tracy Toyota

Colorado: Lexus of Colorado Springs

Florida: South Dade Toyota, Homestead;  Toyota of Fort Walton Beach; Treasure Coast Toyota of Stuart

Georgia: Chatham Parkway Toyota, Savannah

Idaho: Teton Toyota, Idaho Falls

Illinois: Advantage Toyota of River Oaks, Calumet City

Indiana: Lexus of Mishawaka

Massachusetts: Lexus of Northborough

North Carolina: Classic Toyota of Wilkesboro,

Oklahoma: Toyota of Ardmore

Pennsylvania: North Hills Toyota, Pittsburgh

Texas: Brownsville Toyota; Lost Pines Toyota, Bastrop; Mike Shaw Toyota, Corpus Christi; Toyota of Cedar Park; Toyota of Rockwall;

Virginia: Gloucester Toyota

Vermont: Faith’s Toyota Ford, Westminster

Washington: Marysville Toyota