FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Contact: Jessica Sund
Director of Development and Communications
Phone: 507.424.1729
Email: jessicasund@channel-one.org

Rochester, MN | December 7th, 2022

Gifts to Channel One Regional Food Bank this month have twice the impact. Rochester Motor Cars, together with Toyota Motor Company, are matching gifts dollar-to-dollar up to $30,000 through the end of the year.

Rising food costs and inflation are affecting families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who have never needed to access charity food before. People who may have gotten by paycheck to paycheck are now struggling to get the food they need to feed their families. More people than ever are turning to local food programs for support and food banks are strained to keep up with the increased need.

Executive Director of Channel One, Virginia Merritt, stated, “It is absolutely shocking to look at the prices and availability of food today compared to this time last year. Our communities made it through the darkest days of the pandemic, thinking the worst was over– only to now see the need increase while the food decreases. It feels like running uphill at the end of a race that was supposed to be a flat road. However, donors throughout our region came together to support our neighbors during those dark days of the pandemic and I know they will continue to provide support now.”

Matched gifts from Rochester Motor Cars and Toyota Motor Company will support Channel One Regional Food Bank, which serves over 160 agencies and food programs in 14 counties. Thanks to this match, Channel One will be able to provide thousands of meals to people facing food insecurity in Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

“Rochester Motor Cars is proud to be long-time community partners with Channel One Regional Food Bank,” the organization’s leadership team said in an official statement, “Our team has enjoyed the continued opportunity to spread awareness, volunteer, and support Channel One’s efforts and mission. We hope this giving match enables Channel One to further their vision that every community in our region is food secure.”

You can donate to Channel One at helpingfeedpeople.org/donate or send a check to 131 35th Street SE | Rochester, MN 55904

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About Channel One Regional Food Bank
Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Childhood Hunger Programs, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of nearly 200 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org.

About Rochester Motor Cars
What started as a single location car dealership back in 1999, has now expanded into Rochester Motor Cars, becoming a seven-location family of businesses covering everything from buying cars to servicing them. Rochester Motor Cars consists of Rochester Toyota, Rochester Ford and Quick Lane, Rochester Chevrolet Cadillac, Rochester Mazda, Rochester Quick Lane on 2nd, Rochester Collision Center, and Rochester Car Clearance Center. We attribute our ongoing growth and success to a customer first business model; a model we’re absolutely dedicated to.  Our company of over 500 employees is committed to providing A-1 service to all our guests and creating lifelong relationships with them. For more information about Rochester Motor Cars, visit rochestermotorcars.com