MINI of Bedford Asks Community to 'Fill the Boot' for New Hampshire Food Bank

Dealer's Food Drive Packs Canned Goods for Less Fortunate into MINI Countryman

BEDFORD, N.H. (10/15/2012)(readMedia)-- As Thanksgiving gets closer, many New Hampshire residents are taking time to reflect on all they have and what they can do to give back to the community, especially to those less fortunate. In the spirit of giving, MINI of Bedford, a New Hampshire MINI dealership, is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank leading up to the holidays.

MINI of Bedford's Fill the Boot event will take place in the dealership's showroom from Oct. 15 through Nov. 18, and area residents are encouraged to bring along canned goods to help fill up the trunk, or "boot," of a MINI Countryman. The New Hampshire Food Bank's monthly food drives request macaroni and cheese products in October and canned vegetables in November, though any nonperishable food donation is welcome.

"There are well over 100,000 people in New Hampshire who don't have enough to eat, including our friends, our neighbors and people we encounter each day," said Marshal Cabot, general manager of MINI of Bedford. "The Fill the Boot event is our way of getting the MINI community involved to help those who must all too often go without."

What: MINI of Bedford Fill the Boot Food Drive

Where: MINI of Bedford, 209 S. River Road, Bedford, NH

When: Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 -- Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012

How: Canned goods and other nonperishable food donations are welcome at MINI of Bedford during regular business hours. For more information, call 603-637-2900.

While filling the boot of a MINI Countryman may seem like an easy task considering the compact crossover's size, its surprisingly spacious dimensions can hold quite a bit of food. With 16.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, the Countryman has plenty of room for several bags of groceries. Fold those seats down, however, and there is much more space to pack in canned goods, with 41.3 cubic feet of cargo room. Meanwhile, the open-wide tailgate lifts high enough for an adult to walk under, providing easy access to gear or whatever else is being stored.

For drivers who appreciate the size and convenience of the MINI Countryman, but want the sportier look of a coupe, the all-new MINI Paceman will answer both needs when it goes on sale early next year. Featuring up to 38 cubic feet of storage room with the rear seats folded and a lower suspension than the Countryman, the Paceman adds more edge to the practical and efficient model on which it is based. The MINI lineup's seventh model features a sloping roofline and a rear spoiler to emphasize its aggressive stance, and like the Countryman, the Paceman will have an available ALL4 all-wheel-drive system to help drivers tackle slippery winter roads.

"The MINI Countryman is the perfect blend of size and efficiency, giving drivers the room they need to haul friends and gear up to the mountains for a ski trip without having to stop multiple times at a gas station," added Cabot. "The Paceman builds on that concept, offering a fun-to-drive coupe that's just as versatile as the Countryman, but with a personality all its own."

About MINI of Bedford:

MINI of Bedford is the first and only MINI dealership in New Hampshire, and their team is excited to be bringing motoring fun to Granite State drivers. Shoppers who visit MINI of Bedford online at www.minibedford.com, or in person at 209 S. River Road in Bedford, NH, will find a huge selection of new and used MINI models. Plus, the arrival of MINI to New Hampshire means that convenient MINI service is just around the corner. For more information or to schedule a test-drive, their friendly staff can be reached at 603-637-2900, and those looking for the latest dealership news can visit MINI of Bedford on Facebook at www.facebook.com/miniofbedford.