Over $12,000 or P600,000 raised by Ford employees in the Philippines to fund Gawad Kalinga’s “Walang Iwanan, Walang Hawaan” program
The COVID-19 Donation Match Program was established in April to provide Ford employees, their families and friends a way to help fight the growing pandemic that kept them at home and unable to volunteer in traditional ways.
“Giving back is one of Ford’s key values and that is most exemplified in our employees,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We received so many requests from employees asking how they could help in the early days of the pandemic. The donation match program provided a meaningful way for employees to join the fight against COVID-19 – even at a time they could not physically be there to pitch in and help make a difference.”
Through the match program, 47 nonprofits and community groups in 20 countries and 14 U.S. states received funds donated by Ford employees and others that were then matched by $500,000 from the Ford Fund and personal contributions from Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford.
The donation match supported community projects in markets with significant coronavirus-related needs and a substantial number of Ford employees. Nearly one-third — 29% — of the funds went to hunger relief efforts. The next highest share, 24%, was earmarked for projects that met a blend of basic human needs – food, shelter and clothing. Educational efforts received 19% of the funds. Remaining donations supported health-related projects, along with efforts to keep arts programs alive virtually and preserve jobs at institutions that provide historical and cultural education.
In the Philippines, Ford has raised over $12,000 or roughly P600,000 which helped fund Gawad Kalinga’s relief and rehabilitation operation “Walang Iwanan, Walang Hawaan” program, providing food packs to thousands of vulnerable and less-privileged families in Gawad Kalinga communities in the Visayas.
The donation also funded the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools and medical supplies such as alcohols, sanitizers, and thermal scanners needed by volunteers who will facilitate the relief efforts on-ground to ensure their own safety and protection.
“We are thankful for the participation and generosity of our employees and their own circle of networks in bringing this initiative to life in the Philippines to help underprivileged families who were severely affected by the pandemic,” said Josephine Gonzalez, AVP for government and corporate affairs, Ford Philippines.