This Historic Food Drive is Helping End Hunger One Truck at a Time. Here’s How You Can Help.

Every year, a procession of Toyota Tundra pickup trucks embark on a journey to deliver pallets of food to Philabundance, contributing to the “Haul Away Hunger” cause. The Toyota Tundra Food Drive returns this year to alleviate food insecurity in Philadelphia, and Paul Muller, the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association President, emphasizes the importance of this event.

What is the impact of food insecurity in the Philadelphia Region?
According to Map the Meal Gap, an estimated 242,530 Philadelphians were food insecure in 2022. For 40 years, Philabundance has made it its mission to reduce that number to zero. Philabundance has been leading the fight against food insecurity in their nine-county service area, spanning across Southeastern Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. This organization plays a crucial role in addressing the issue of food insecurity by distributing the surplus of food in Philadelphia to those in need. The 15th annual Toyota Tundra Food Drive stands as a pivotal event in this mission. This year’s initiative will feature over 80 Toyota Tundras parading through the streets of Philadelphia to deliver pallets of food to Philabundance. Toyota and the Tri-State Toyota Dealers are proud to be a part of this initiative and partner with Philabundance to end hunger, one meal at a time.

Why is supporting Philabundance important to Toyota’s philanthropic efforts?
In the Philadelphia area, 1 in every 7 adults is suffering from food insecurity. With 39 million meals delivered and 15.4 million pounds of food provided to our neighbors, Philabundance is forging the path to end hunger in our area. Toyota is committed to giving back to the community, and the last event provided more than 650,000 pounds of nutritious food for Philabundance to help those in need. This year we aim to see an even larger increase! With the world emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to maintain this momentum as we look to solve the issues regarding food insecurity in our community. Together, we can make a difference.

What impact does the Toyota Tundra Food Drive have for the community?
The Tri-State Toyota Dealers are thrilled to hold the Toyota Tundra Food Drive event again, this year during September’s Hunger Action Month! Moving this event from the winter months to September allowed the Tri- State Toyota Dealers and their partners to participate in the Lil’Abundance donation drive last December. This program aims to provide children with backpacks filled with 24 shelf-stable, healthy meals as no child should go hungry. In 2022 alone, an estimated 104,000-plus children faced food insecurity. With the support of our business partners, we were able to provide Philabundance with more than 324,000 pounds of healthy food earlier this year. As food insecurity is an everyday issue, the Tri-State Toyota Dealers and their partners hope to further extend their assistance to Philabundance and those who are food deprived in our communities.

What would you tell someone who is interested in getting involved?
Each meal counts towards changing a life. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, makes an impact on someone struggling with food insecurity. Everyone should have access to nutritious meals that not only benefit their physical health but mental health as well. Be the good you want to see in the world and help us end world hunger today!

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, Philabundance invites you to join us in our mission to fight hunger. Your support through donations, volunteering and spreading the word helps us provide meals and hope to those in need. Together, we can make this milestone year impactful and memorable. Visit philabundance.org to learn more and get involved.

This is a paid partnership between Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association and Philadelphia Magazine