Ovens Ford is calling on the Wangaratta community to help “Fill a Ford for a Cause” by donating non-perishable food items between 15–25 September.
All donations will go directly to Open Door Neighbourhood House (ODNH) to support local families in need.
Community members are encouraged to drop food items at the Ford reception desk at Ovens Ford, 62–66 Parfitt Road, Wangaratta.
Donations will be collected in the tub of a Ford Ranger, to be delivered at the end of the campaign.
“This is about rallying Wangaratta to help local families,” said Ashley McIlroy, from Ovens Ford.
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“Every can, every box, every contribution makes a real difference—and we’d love the community to get behind it.”
ODNH executive officer, Loretta Waters, said the partnership comes at an important time
“ODNH has been supporting the community since 1987, and our food pantry has been a vital part of that for nearly 10 years," she said.
"Alongside the pantry, we offer community lunches, cuppas, arts and crafts, exercise, cooking and computer classes — many run by volunteers and without funding.
"We rely heavily on community generosity to keep these services running.
“Initiatives like ‘Fill a Ford for a Cause’ make a real difference for local families, many of whom are still doing it tough.
"Every donation helps, and we especially value items like cereals, spreads, canned meats, coffee, hygiene products and detergents.
"We’re so grateful to Ovens Ford and the wider community for their support.”
To kick off the expanded initiative, Ford dealers worldwide are hosting food drives from 15–25 September, collecting essential items to fight hunger and meet critical local needs.
According to the UN, in 2024, 733 million people faced hunger globally.
In Australia, 32 per cent of households – approximately 3.4 million households –experienced some level of food insecurity in 2024, according to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2024.
The initiative is part of a nationwide program led by Ford Australia for Ford Global Caring Month, where Ford dealers across the country host food drives to strengthen food security.
Globally, Ford Global Caring Month has engaged nearly 100,000 volunteers in more than 2000 community projects across 45 countries since 2006.
To ensure donations can be safely distributed, items should be within their use-by date or no more than six months past the best-before date, packaged intact and undamaged, and fully labelled with ingredients in English.
Glass jars and containers cannot be accepted.
When the Ranger’s full, the team will tally up the weight and share photos to celebrate what the community has achieved together.
