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Subaru Donates 2018 Outback to Berks Encore in Celebration of 50th Anniversary in the U.S.

Nov 15, 2017 • by Berks Encore
Berks Encore

Berks Encore celebrates impact of Subaru and Meals on Wheels America partnership on Berks County seniors with a special delivery event on December 6, 2017.

Reading, PA – In celebration of its 50th anniversary, and in keeping with its commitment to support local communities nationwide, Subaru of America, Inc. has donated a Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle to Berks Encore in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. On average each month, Berks Encore drives 12,000 miles to deliver meals, and the donated 2018 Subaru Outback will enable Berks Encore staff and volunteers to reach over 40 more seniors and serve 800 more meals each month.

LuAnn Oatman, President of Berks Encore said, “A donated vehicle will be a game changer for Berks Encore and the seniors we serve. Berks Encore’s Meals on Wheels program serves the entirety of our county, which is a large area encompassing a diverse range of urban, suburban, and rural areas.  Berks Encore will utilize this vehicle to pilot a service we have long wanted to bring to some of our most at-risk seniors: a fresh produce delivery, in addition to our regular Meals on Wheels delivery. In the city of Reading (where our corporate offices are located) in addition to two other boroughs, many seniors live in what is considered a food desert”.

In honor of the donation, Berks Encore will host a special unveiling of this 2018 Subaru Outback on December 6th at 1:00pm at Steve Moyer Subaru in Leesport, PA.  Berks Encore will also be outlining the new pilot program and announcing their partnership with Craig Poole and the DoubleTree by Hilton team. Oatman said “We know that many seniors in our county live in isolated retirement communities or remote rural areas that we simply are not currently reaching. By adding just one vehicle, this alleviates the burden on our volunteers, some of whom drive hundreds of miles due to the length of more rural routes.  An Outback would provide enough space for us to deliver regular meals in addition to coolers filled with produce.”

This fall, Subaru donated 50 new 2018 Subaru Outback vehicles to select Meals on Wheels programs throughout the country, to be used in the delivery of an estimated 53,000 meals to an additional 3,700 seniors across 39 states. Subaru has supported the national Meals on Wheels network for the last nine years through its annual philanthropic event, Share the Love, contributing more than $12 million to Meals on Wheels America and providing more than 1.7 million nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to seniors.

“Subaru’s ‘50 Cars for 50 Years’ vehicle donation will enable Meals on Wheels programs, like Berks Encore to expand its reach to many Berks County seniors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “This latest act of care and kindness further underscores Subaru of America’s longstanding commitment to giving back to communities large and small.”

The Subaru and Meals on Wheels partnership is part of Subaru Loves to Help, a pillar of the automaker’s larger Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment effort dedicated to making a positive impact on local communities across the country. Each 2018 Subaru Outback donated will be delivered to local retailers and wrapped with Meals on Wheels America and ‘Subaru Loves to Help’ co-branding.

“We wanted to celebrate our 50th anniversary in America in a way that is appropriate for our brand and are delighted to donate vehicles that will support local communities by combating threats of isolation and hunger affecting seniors across the country,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “At Subaru, we believe in providing safe and reliable vehicles for all of life’s journeys and are honored to partner with Meals on Wheels to help people live more nourished lives.”

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