THUNDER BAY - For the last eight years, one local car dealership has been helping to drive change in the community by improving the lives of people in need.
On Tuesday, Performance Kia hosted its Drive Change fundraiser in support of the Regional Food Distribution Association and United Way of Thunder Bay.
“This is very important for us,” said Bruno Niederer, retired dealer principal at Performance Kia. “We have been supporting the RFDA for many years now toward their goals, like a big freezer, soup kettles, and dishwashers. We hope to finish the project and make it better for the region, not just Thunder Bay, but all of Northwestern Ontario.”
The goal this year is to raise between $25,000 and $30,000 for the RFDA and the United Way. According to Volker Kromm, executive director of the RFDA, Drive Change has continually grown over the last eight years.
“Every year they have surpassed the amount,” he said. “It was $15,000 and we have now doubled that amount. It’s been significant. Bruno and Kevin never cease to amaze us with what they have accomplished.”
“It’s a corporate commitment back to the community and it helps us with budgeting and planning and knowing we have that strong affiliation with Performance Kia helps us a lot in our planning.”
Kromm said the fundraiser has allowed the RFDA to purchase a trailer for moving food around the city, as well as a large freezer that is about to be installed.
“It’s really an important event for us because it has helped us move in another direction and we are coming to a conclusion of a very large project which the Performance Kia people have been very gracious and helped us along and helped us develop into a food hub,” Kromm said.
“I think it’s important we look after our community and people who are in need and don’t have enough food on their table,” Niederer added.
Donations are being accepted at Performance Kia until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Non-perishable food items are accepted, as well as monetary donations.
