Washington State Auto Dealers Association Donates $50,000 to WA Food Fund

SEATTLE, April 16, 2020 – The Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA), which represents 294 new car and truck dealerships in 68 cities and towns across Washington, today announced it is donating $50,000 to the newly created WA Food Fund, a relief fund that supports food banks statewide so they can maintain their food supply.

“As with many industries, our members have faced massive layoffs of employees because of COVID 19,” said Vicki Giles Fabré, Executive Vice President, WSADA. “Our dealerships are deeply concerned about the well-being of not only their employees and their families but also their customers, friends and neighbors in the communities they serve. The WA Food Fund presented a perfect opportunity for us to help families statewide who may be struggling to put food on the table.”

Donations to the WA Food Fund will be directed to Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline and Second Harvest, which deliver supplies to food banks across Washington state. While closed for activities not specifically authorized, Governor Inslee has proclaimed that licensed new car and truck dealerships are allowed to conduct service and repair work, and limited sales and leasing activities for essential workers, if the essential worker has no other means of transportation. These activities are being conducted in a manner that complies with social distancing and sanitation measures. Complete details of what is allowed can be found in the Governor’s proclamation at: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/Guidance%20Bulletin%20-%20Proclamation%2020-25%2C%2003.31.2020.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

About WSADA
Founded in 1920, the Association’s 294 dealer members serve 68 cities and towns across Washington and are responsible for annual sales volume totaling $18.1 billion. Together, they employ over 22,000 people with a combined payroll of more than $1.4 billion. An average dealership creates 74 local jobs, each paying on average over $59,397 per year plus benefits. Dealership sales generate hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue for state and local governments through sales, corporate, and payroll tax revenue.
www.wsada.org

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Click here for a pdf copy of the press release.