At the heart of Subaru’s corporate mission is a commitment to giving back. Every year, the Subaru Share the Love® Campaign provides a platform for Subaru and its retailers to spread compassion and impact lives through their support of national and hometown charities. Running annually from mid-November through early January, Subaru donates $250 to a chosen charity for every new vehicle sold or leased during the campaign. Since its inception, the initiative has raised over $256 million for organizations across the country, helping create brighter futures for countless individuals and communities.
At East Cooper Meals on Wheels, we’ve been fortunate to experience firsthand the generosity of Subaru and its local retailer, Crews Subaru. Their partnership has been transformative in helping us deliver more than just meals to our neighbors in need. Over the last 12 years, Crews Subaru has given over $20,000 to support our mission. In addition to financial contributions, the Crews Subaru team consistently volunteers their time and resources. Whether it’s delivering 250 lbs. of food, providing holiday cheer to meal recipients, or sponsoring our delivery vehicle, Crews Subaru has been an invaluable ally in addressing food insecurity and isolation among our homebound residents.
This holiday season, the Subaru Share the Love spirit shone brightly on December 18, when Ken French and the Crews Subaru team visited East Cooper Meals on Wheels. With their signature enthusiasm, they cheered on our dedicated volunteer drivers before accompanying one of our long-serving volunteers, Kevin Kreamer, on his meal delivery route. Witnessing the interaction between Kevin and the recipients—many of whom rely on his friendly visits as much as the meals themselves—was a poignant reminder of how vital this work is. Kevin expressed his own surprise at some of the statistics provided by Subaru Share the Love, including:
- 1 in two seniors are living alone and lack the income to pay for basic needs
- The senior population is set to reach 91 million in the next decade
Recipients’ joy reached new heights as they opened their doors to find not only their daily meal but also thoughtfully chosen holiday gifts, courtesy of more than 40 in-kind donors! The reactions were priceless—faces lit up with surprise, gratitude, and BIG smiles. One recipient, Deborah, expressed how much these gestures mean during a season that can be particularly lonely. "It brought tears to my eyes…I’m so happy!” she shared. These moments, small as they may seem, encapsulate the profound impact of the Share the Love campaign: spreading kindness, one meal, one visit, and one smile at a time.
With the Subaru Share the Love campaign running until January 2, there’s still time to make a difference. Every purchase or lease of a new Subaru during this period contributes to causes like ours, ensuring that more homebound neighbors receive the support they need. You can learn more by visiting the Share the Love campaign page: Subaru Share the Love Event | Nov. 21, 2024 through Jan. 2, 2025
Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the love and awareness of our services, every act of kindness helps fuel the mission of East Cooper Meals on Wheels. Thank you, Crews Subaru, for being a driving force in our journey to realize a community in which all homebound neighbors live nourished and connected lives with independence and dignity.