Chrysler Group Employees Drive to Fight Hunger at Thanksgiving

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• More than 50 million people in America face hunger. That's 1 in 6 of the U.S. population – including more than 1 in 5 children.
• Chrysler Group's Thanksgiving Food Drive helps local food pantries restock for Thanksgiving
• Employees' efforts continue fight to eliminate hunger in their communities

With Thanksgiving approaching, Chrysler Group LLC employees across the Midwest are taking time out from building cars and trucks to make sure their neighbors have the means to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. Today, everything from canned fruit and vegetables to cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie filling and stuffing mix was packed up and loaded into Chrysler Group vehicles for delivery to local food pantries in the Company's plant communities located in Mich., Ohio, Ind. and Ill.

The annual Chrysler Group Thanksgiving Food Drive taking place today in partnership with the UAW, is part of the Company's long-standing tradition of giving back to its local communities and will help local food pantries restock their shelves in time for Thanksgiving. To complete the menu, The Chrysler Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Chrysler Group, has purchased more than 1,500 frozen turkeys, which will also be distributed by the food pantries.

"We're moved by the generosity of Chrysler Group employees, who once again responded to assist their neighbors during this holiday season," said Jody Trapasso, Senior Vice President - External Affairs, Chrysler Group LLC and President of The Chrysler Foundation. "Chrysler is committed to strengthening our communities and to helping fight hunger."

The food drive, conducted November 1-14, encompasses most of the Company's U.S. offices and plants. In order to maximize the reach of the food drive, the Company teamed with well-established community service organizations in its plant communities:

Southeast Michigan: Chrysler Group employees formed a caravan comprised of Dodge and Chrysler minivans, Ram trucks and Dodge Durangos to deliver food collected at 17 of the Company's locations in Southeast Michigan to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Lighthouse of Oakland County and HOPE Center in Macomb.

Ohio: Employees from Chrysler Group's Toledo Assembly Complex and Toledo Machining Plant joined forces to deliver food to The Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio.

Indiana: Employees from Chrysler Group's Kokomo Casting Plant delivered food to Kokomo Urban Outreach. Employees at the Company's Indiana Transmission Plants held a similar drive on November 9.

Illinois: Belvidere Assembly Plant employees will deliver food to the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry on November 19.

Last year, the Company's food drive helped feed more than 12,000 people across Mich., Ohio, Ind., Ill. and Washington, D.C.

"Chrysler will continue to do its part in the fight against hunger," added Trapasso.

This summer, employees donated more than 16 tons of food to local food banks, enough food to prepare 28,000 meals; and helped the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) serve nearly 150,000 meals to children at summer food sites – double the number served the previous year. Additionally, Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO is serving as this year's UWSEM campaign chair. In this role, his primary responsibility is to promote growth, fundraising and educational efforts for the campaign throughout the community.

About The Chrysler Foundation
During the past 59 years, The Chrysler Foundation has established a proud legacy of enriching the physical, educational and cultural needs of local communities in which Chrysler Group LLC conducts business. Chrysler employees also have a strong commitment to helping improve their communities by volunteering their time and talents in the places where we live and work.

The Chrysler Foundation embodies the values of the Company and its employees and, since its inception, has awarded more than $500 million in charitable grants.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Durango, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Hunger & Poverty Statistics provided by Feeding America (feedingamerica.org).  

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC