HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The Mazda Foundation announced on Wednesday two grants totaling $200,000 between two Huntsville organizations.
The foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the Food Bank of North Alabama and a $150,000 grant to the AVID Center.
The Mazda Foundation said it's aiming to help the Food Bank of North Alabama meet continued record demands for food assistance through this grant. The grant will help the food bank provide 350,000 meals to those in need across North Alabama.
RELATED: Grocery giveaway with Rocket City Trash Pandas gets 40,000 pounds of food into the community
“In the wake of the pandemic, we are witnessing a demand for food assistance that is truly extraordinary,” said Jeff Guyton, president of Mazda North American Operations and chairman of the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc.
The AVID Center grant will help establish AVID's College and Career Readiness program in four schools in Madison City Schools. The goal of this program is to prepare underserved students for college applications and to give those students the necessary skills for collegiate success.
“Too many people lack basic access to the tools and support needed to successfully compete in our increasingly complex economy,” said Guyton. “Providing necessary support to underserved students is a clear expression of the Mazda Foundation’s guiding principle: what matters most is one another.”