Cars For Causes^® - Affordable Transportation Program

The Cars For Causes^® Affordable Transportation Program transforms donated vehicles into affordable transportation for families and individuals in need and the proceeds from these sales benefit charitable causes. Since we started in 1997, we've sold more than 39,000 vehicles through our Affordable Transportation Program and we continue to sell between 350 and 500 smog compliant, road ready cars every month to people searching for basic affordable transportation. Not only are our budget conscious families or individuals able to afford basic transportation, but car donations are tax deductible and the proceeds from these donated vehicles sales benefit charitable causes. Everyone wins with the Cars For Causes^® Affordable Transportation Program.

Cars For Causes^® Affordable Transportation Program News Releases

Affordable Transportation - Stumbling Block to Employment

CALIFORNIA, July, 2007 Transportation costs have been steadily rising over the last several decades, taking more and more out of the pockets of American families. And the situation, hard on the wallets of everyone, is toughest on the poor.

The poorest 20 percent of Americans - those who can afford it least - spend 40.2 percent of their income on transportation, says a report by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, a not-for-profit advocacy organization devoted to study and improvement of transportation options.

Even before the latest 2007 rise of gas prices into the $3-and-above range, transportation costs were hitting home with commuters and, indeed, with all drivers. Affordable transportation is, seemingly, a problem without a solution. But maybe not. One group has come up with a recycle, reuse, and re-drive strategy for affordable transportation. It's a simple idea: take cars from people who don't want them and get them into the hands of someone who does.

This kind of out-of-the-garage thinking takes about 6,000 to 7,000 donated cars per year, sees them smogged and inspected, and then moved into the affordable transportation category, says Pat Jessup, Executive Director of Cars 4 Causes^®. Some of the cars go directly to families in need, some are sold and money from them goes to charities designated by car donors.

Affordable transportation is not a luxury, the Surface Transportation Policy Project report says. It can mean the difference between getting to work on a daily basis and getting there sporadically, if at all, and depending on the kindness of relatives and friends. The fact is that getting to work, school, doctors, or even getting to the supermarket can prove impossible without a car.

Lower income families suffer most from the sprawl that has spread across almost all of the country. The simple answer to lack of transportation move closer to jobs and stores is not always possible. Over the last several decades, communities have been designed with the car in mind, notes the Earth Day Network, an Internet site that serves as a connection for environmentalists worldwide. Urban sprawl hits low-income families hard, making it difficult to get anywhere without a car. And public transportation? Not always available, says the Surface Transportation Policy Project report. Just over half of American households report having access to public transportation. "We can't fix everything," says Jessup, "but we can help find affordable transportation and kick away the major stumbling block, the initial cost of the car itself, for many families." Her not for profit organization, Cars 4 Causes^®, receives donations of vehicles and donates the vehicles themselves or money raised by the sale of them to designated charities.

Cars 4 Causes,® "The Charity that Gives to Charities"® is an IRS Code 501(c)(3) charity. We are America's 1st vehicle donation charity. Cars 4 Causes® is expert at turning donated vehicles into cash for charities. We are the most trusted name in vehicle donations. Proceeds from tax-deductible vehicle donations go to qualifying non-profits. Read our Vehicle Donation FAQ's to see how Cars 4 Causes® works for you!

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