Fred Beans Surpasses Goal of 50,000 Meals Challenge

The Fred Beans Automotive Group typically ends the year working toward an ambitious sales goal, but this year’s goal was different: provide 50,000 meals to those in need. Throughout December, Fred Beans committed to donating a portion of every sale and service bill to hunger-fighting organizations in areas where the automotive group operates. The effort resulted in a $27,500 donation, which will provide about 55,000 meals, with most food pantries able to provide two meals per dollar. Locally, the effort benefitted the Flemington Area Food Pantry.

“We launched our first meals challenge in May 2020, at the height of the pandemic, with a goal of providing 500,000 meals by the end of the year,” said Fred Beans, founder and president of the automotive group bearing his name. “Just over a year and a half later, our commitment to fighting hunger is just as firm, because we know the need is just as staggering. I am proud of our entire organization, including our customers, who recognize the importance of staying in this fight to aid our neighbors, friends and coworkers through an exceptionally difficult time.”

Dennis Malloy, co-owner/partner of Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, even matched his dealership’s contribution of $2,500 with a personal check to provide the local beneficiary, the Salvation Army of Boyertown food pantry, with $5,000. He noted the need, with this local food pantry supporting more than 300 families a week, emphasizing, “It takes all of us helping in some way to really make a difference.”

Ryan Ofner, general manager of Fred Beans Nissan of Flemington, recently presented a $4,000 check to the Flemington Area Food Pantry on behalf of Fred Beans’ Flemington-based operations. In Flemington, Fred Beans operates Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota dealerships, all with automotive service, and a CARSTAR collision center. Ofner said seeing the crowd at the food pantry reinforced the need to continue supporting the organization’s important work.

The five hunger-fighting organizations supported by the Fred Beans 50,000 Meals Challenge include: the Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Flemington Area Food Pantry, the Salvation Army of Boyertown and the Salvation Army of West Chester.

“My father has always encouraged us to do something every day to make our community better, both as a company and personally,” said Beth Beans Gilbert, vice president. “So many of our Fred Beans team members have taken these words to heart, not only supporting our meals challenges and food drives, but also volunteering their time to distribute meals at the pantries. We will continue as a company to champion this cause and partner with our local food pantries in 2022.”

About Fred Beans Automotive Group

Fred Beans Automotive Group encompasses 32 rooftops, more than 20 dealerships, 18 brands, six Fred Beans collision centers (franchised CARSTAR), two AutoExpress locations, a parts warehouse, two Carquest locations, four Autorents rental locations, and commercial truck sales. The company established the Fred Beans Charitable Trust in 2000 to give back to the community, prioritizing among organizations whose focus spans youth and education, human services, arts and culture, and community development. Learn more at https://www.fredbeans.com/.