Toyota Supports Hurricane Sandy Victims with Food Bank Partnership

VALLEY STREAM, N.Y., April 10, 2013 — Although nearly six months have passed since Hurricane Sandy befell New York, many families are still working to get back on their feet after the destruction that was left behind. To help out, Toyota recently announced a partnership with Food Bank For New York City called Meals Per Hour, which will support food kitchens in New York areas that were hit hard by the storm.

Meals Per Hour will work with Coney Island Lighthouse Community Kitchen and Metro World Child, a mobile food distribution center in the Far Rockaways, to help reduce wait times. After Hurricane Sandy hit, the Coney Island Lighthouse Community Kitchen facilities were wiped out, but the organization rallied to provide barbecues and emergency services for the countless people who were displaced or suffering from food shortages. By streamlining operations and resources, Toyota and Meals Per Hour will assist the food kitchens in serving more people in these affected areas, helping community members regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.

"Many of us were fortunate enough to have power quickly restored and saw minimal effects from Hurricane Sandy, so it's easy to lose sight of the fact that our friends and neighbors might still be struggling," said Anthony Tocante, general manager of Advantage Toyota, a Long Island Toyota dealer. "Toyota's effort with Meals Per Hour is a great way to support those who are still trying to recover by making sure they have enough food and supplies to see them through."

The Empire State has recently been a focal point for Toyota, with the automaker revealing its all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander at the New York International Auto Show late last month. Sporting a more muscular exterior and a more spacious interior, the 2014 Highlander SUV was engineered to cater to modern families with a variety of needs.

Three extra inches of length and a half-inch of additional width on the new Highlander help create 34 percent more cargo space behind the third-row seat, while 40/60 split-folding second and third rows allow parents to easily make room for extra gear. New premium materials enhance the sophistication of the cabin, including a soft-touch instrument panel, wood-grain pattern trim and available leather seats. The 2014 Highlander will arrive at dealerships early next year.

"Families won't feel like they have to keep up with the Joneses when they're in the new Toyota Highlander because it offers an ideal balance of what they want and what they need," added Tocante. "The SUV can take moms and dads anywhere in style and comfort, whether it's to the office or to their child's soccer game. Not to mention, the kids can be easily entertained by the available Rear Seat Entertainment System."

About Advantage Toyota:
Advantage Toyota is dedicated to meeting all the automotive needs of its local Toyota customers from Long Island and the boroughs, offering a wide inventory of new and used Toyota vehicles to those shoppers looking for a ride that's built to last. To ensure customer satisfaction, their New York Toyota dealership employs a knowledgeable sales staff and expert team of technicians geared towards meeting the needs of visitors. Visit Advantage Toyota at 400 West Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, N.Y., or contact their team at 888-866-0562. They can also be found online at www.advantagetoyotany.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AdvantageToyotaNY.