Donate and Families Benefit

Recent studies have shown that not having transportation is one of the leading causes of unemployment and underemployment.

Without a vehicle, workers are limited in their job search, receive fewer promotions and raises due to frequent tardiness from unreliable public transportation, and cannot take extra shifts. Additionally, children in low-income families without a vehicle are less likely to participate in after-school and extracurricular activities, significantly limiting their socialization and creativity. Car ownership can have a positive impact on low-income families. 

Benefits of Vehicle Ownership for Low-Income Families

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Donating your car to Vehicles for Change will provide a local family the tools they need to succeed. When low-income families have vehicle access, they experience increased wages and better health, and their children have fuller lives. Vehicles for Change relies on donations from community members like you to refurbish vehicles and resell them to eligible families in the area at reduced rates.

With payments as low as $900, Vehicles for Change makes car ownership possible for worthy families. Since 1999, Vehicles for Change has provided affordable car ownership for over 7,000 hardworking families. About 75% of Vehicles for Change car recipients experienced higher wages and promotions in the workplace.

How Cars Affect Food Access

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Car ownership has a direct correlation to food access because, without a reliable means of transportation, many low-income families are forced to rely on the limited food options available in their neighborhood. These options are predominantly prepackaged meals from convenience stores or fast food restaurants.

Not only are these food items unhealthy, but they are more expensive than many fresh food options. Keeping families reliant on these “convenient” foods forces them to spend more of their salary on food that lacks critical nutrition. When recipients gain access to a vehicle, they can drive to grocery stores, farmers markets, and whole food markets to give their family nutrient-rich meals.

Children Benefit from Fresh Food

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Much of the current research on food access and health is concerned with the role fresh food plays in childhood development and health. The link between healthy food access and childhood BMI (body mass index) has been well documented by scientific research. Experts say children who do not have access to healthy food are more likely to face a number of health and development related issues, some of which may continue into adulthood.

Also, the ability of children to learn effectively has been linked to a well-rounded diet. Children are particularly vulnerable to the physical and mental effects of inadequate access to fresh foods. When
families have access to a vehicle, the overall health of children improves. 

Car ownership has a direct correlation to food access because, without a reliable means of transportation, many low-income families are forced to rely on the limited food options available in their neighborhood. These options are predominantly prepackaged meals from convenience stores or fast food restaurants.

Not only are these food items unhealthy, but they are more expensive than many fresh food options. Keeping families reliant on these “convenient” foods forces them to spend more of their salary on food that lacks critical nutrition. When recipients gain access to a vehicle, they can drive to grocery stores, farmers markets, and whole food markets to give their family nutrient-rich meals.

Much of the current research on food access and health is concerned with the role fresh food plays in childhood development and health. The link between healthy food access and childhood BMI (body mass index) has been well documented by scientific research. Experts say children who do not have access to healthy food are more likely to face a number of health and development related issues, some of which may continue into adulthood.

Also, the ability of children to learn effectively has been linked to a well-rounded diet. Children are particularly vulnerable to the physical and mental effects of inadequate access to fresh foods. When
families have access to a vehicle, the overall health of children improves. 

Donate a Car for Healthy Families

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Research is clear: owning a car has a direct link to healthy food access, which in turn has a direct link to overall health. The findings of a recent multi-state study report that, for every additional supermarket in a designated area, consumption of produce increase by about 33% for African Americans and 11% for Caucasians.

Much of the current research on food access and health is concerned with the role fresh food plays in childhood development and health. The link between healthy food access and childhood BMI (body mass index) has been well documented by scientific research. Experts say children who do not haveaccess to healthy food are more likely to face a number of health and development related issues, some of which may continue into adulthood.

Also, the ability of children to learn effectively has been linked to a well-rounded diet. Children areparticularly vulnerable to the physical and mental effects of inadequate access to fresh foods. When families have access to a vehicle, the overall health of children improves.