This week Chrysler Group LLC employees turned part of its Auburn Hills headquarters into an assembly line to help hungry chhildren in Detroit. Over a two day period (July 23-24) employees rolled up their sleeves and formed a human assembly line to fill 12,000 weekend backpacks — creating 72,000 meals — with nutritious food for children who are at risk of hunger and malnutrition this summer. 

The Chrysler Foundation, Chrysler Group LLC and United Way for Southeastern Michigan have partnered with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan to bridge the hunger gap and create greater awareness and access to summer food programs. According to Gleaners, only 13% of Detroit area children, who are eligible for free or reduced meals at school, participate in summer food programs. On weekends, when summer food programs are not available, children often go without meals.

"We are proud to partner with the United Way and Gleaners Food Bank to help meet this pressing need in the fight against childhood hunger," says Jody Trapasso, president of The Chrysler Foundation. "We hope the Weekend Backpack Program also helps nourish our children's dreams for a bright future." 

Each Friday, beginning July 27 and continuing through August 31, Gleaners will distribute the weekend backpacks at select Summer Food Service Programs sites throughout Detroit. The backpacks contain sliced peaches, cut green beans, beef ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, raisin bran cereal and shelf stable milk — enough food for about six meals.