Toyota Material Handling (TMH) and Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) have collaborated to assist Mom’s Pantry in Phoenix with the donation of a new, custom-built electric forklift. This equipment is critical to the day-to-day operations of Mom’s Pantry, a nonprofit food bank that distributes essential food and household items to low-income adults and families in the area.

“The holiday season is all about coming together and giving back. With Toyota’s own Parts Distribution Center located in Phoenix, it is especially important that we support our surrounding communities,” says Tellis Bethel, group vice president, chief social innovation officer, TMNA. “We were thrilled to work with TMH on this joint forklift donation to Mom’s Pantry, given the often-overlooked and substantial operational costs and equipment that such philanthropic organisations need.”

Mom’s Pantry operates a weekly food distribution, serving more than 350 individuals and families, and is consistently receiving and unloading pallets of essential items into its 7,000 sqft. (650 sqm) warehouse. The organisation had been operating with the use of the same Toyota forklift since opening its doors in 2013 and was in desperate need of new equipment. 

TMH and TMNA partnered to provide Mom’s Pantry with a new electric walkie stacker that includes optional adjustable baselegs to accommodate various pallet sizes and aisle widths. The machine was also customised by TMH to ensure its height was adequate to clear the food bank facility’s loading entry. 

Separately, Noblelift North America has donated three PTE45N lithium ion-powered pallet trucks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Meyers, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

Noblelift managing director Loren Swakow became aware of an appeal through American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) for electric pallet trucks to help with the distribution of food, water and supplies.

Swakow says the  PTE45Ns were the perfect solution for their needs. “And as a member of MHEDA and a manufacturer of materials handling equipment, we understand first hand how important logistics are for aiding in disaster relief. We were glad we could help.”