AutoTrader.com has joined forces with former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, Atlanta-area Chevrolet dealers, and the Atlanta Community Food bank to help alleviate hunger in Georgia. Now through Sept. 10, Georgians can help fight hunger by participating in the four-week Drive Away Hunger program.
Anyone who makes a donation of 10 or more canned food items to their local Chevrolet dealer will receive a complimentary voucher to the Sept. 16 Braves vs. Mets game at Turner Field. Georgians are encouraged to further the fight against hunger even further by test-driving a new Chevrolet at participating dealerships. For every new car test drive, AutoTrader.com will donate $10 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
John Smoltz's passion for the fight against world hunger began in his hometown of Lansing, Mich. His concern for hunger issues continued when he moved from the Detroit Tigers to the Atlanta Braves. While he always knew it was a worldwide problem, he began to notice it on a local level as well. Smoltz got involved with a canned food drive, and it opened his eyes to the fact that many Georgians aren't afforded the luxury of being able to visit a well-stocked pantry and feed their families every night. Since then, fighting hunger has been one of his biggest goals.
"Hunger in and of itself is an epidemic that we're trying to bring light to; it's not only a worldwide problem, but a local problem. The idea of Drive Away Hunger and pairing up with AutoTrader.com; as well as Chevrolet, is to create another vehicle to bring people to an event, it's a win-win that allows them to bring cans of food, get a ticket to a Braves game and test drive a car, and have a donation made on their behalf to this great program," said Smoltz.
This is the second year AutoTrader.com has sponsored Drive Away Hunger. This year, however, the time to donate has been doubled, based on last year's overwhelming response. Last year's program ran for only two weeks, but collected over 11,500 pounds of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The sponsors hope that by extending the time, they will be able to more than double the contribution this year.
"AutoTrader.com is proud to sponsor the Drive Away Hunger program for the second consecutive year," said AutoTrader.com Director of Community Relations Michele Blondheim. "We have always been committed to making a difference in communities across the country, and we are happy to do our part in driving away hunger. By partnering with the Braves, long-time Braves pitcher John Smoltz and local Chevrolet dealers, we hope to build on the successful 2010 program with even more awareness and donations this year."
The program will end on September 16, and Turner Field will place collection bins at the stadium for fans that want to contribute during the Braves vs. Mets game. Participants who donate and test-drive at Chevrolet dealers can register for a chance to win a Braves on-field VIP experience and suite for 16. .
For official rules, terms and conditions, and participating dealerships visit AutoTrader.com/DriveAwayHunger. For information on volunteering for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, please visit http://www.acfb.org/
