Detroit Lions, Ford Philanthropy Expand Thanksgiving Food Drive
DETROIT 2The Detroit Lions announced on Oct. 27, 2026, that they will run the second annual Feeding AmericaAE Lions Thanksgiving Day Classic Campaign in partnership with Ford Philanthropy to help families facing food insecurity. Ford Philanthropy will match every dollar donated by fans, up to $100,000, as the campaign runs through the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day Classic Game, presented by Ford, against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 26, 2026. The campaign aims to provide up to two million meals for individuals and families across the country.
Every $1 donated will provide at least 10 meals through Feeding AmericaAE, meaning combined donations and the match could generate up to $200,000 to support as many as two million meals. Fans may contribute digitally or at Ford Field on game days by using the Round Up feature at Levy concession kiosks when checking out. Donors can direct their contributions to the Feeding AmericaAE member food bank in their local community so funds benefit neighborhood programs and pantries. The Lions said the local-directed option ensures donations have a direct impact on neighbors.
The campaign builds on the Lions’ initial partnership with Feeding AmericaAE in 2025, which reached 28 states, including Washington, D.C., assisted 65 food banks and provided more than 800,000 meals. In Michigan, the Lions noted that about 1.5 million people face hunger, including one in five children. The club is also assembling and distributing 15,000 Thanksgiving meal kits with multiple food banks, including Gleaners Community Food Bank. The Lions framed the effort as extending Detroit’s longstanding Thanksgiving tradition to a national scale.
Rich Haddad, President and CEO, Detroit Lions, said, “Our Feeding America Lions Thanksgiving Day Classic Campaign builds on our ongoing efforts to tackle food insecurity.” Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy, said, “Thanksgiving is about coming together, and we know that starts with making sure families have food on the table.” Culler added, “Through Ford Building Together, we’re combining philanthropic funding with Ford’s vehicles, vast dealer network, and passionate employee volunteers to help our partners extend their reach and make a greater impact in the communities they serve.” The Lions and Ford encouraged fans to donate throughout November leading up to the Nov. 26 game.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Lions’ partnership with Ford Philanthropy doubles donor dollars up to the $100,000 match and leverages Ford’s logistical resources to increase the campaign’s reach. The 2025 effort delivered more than 800,000 meals, so meeting the two-million-meal goal would be a substantial expansion of that initial result. Allowing donors to direct funds to local Feeding AmericaAE member banks and assembling 15,000 meal kits in Michigan provides both national scale and tangible local benefits. The campaign’s timing ahead of the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day Classic gives a high-profile platform to mobilize fans and community partners around hunger relief.