As the holidays approach, Chrysler Group employees in the Midwest are reaching out in an effort to fight hunger at Thanksgiving. 

Last week, “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 Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

"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 of external affairs at Chrysler Group and president of The Chrysler Foundation. "Chrysler is committed to strengthening our communities and to helping fight hunger."

This is part of the annual Chrysler Group Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place in partnership with the UAW.

The OEM explained this event ”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.”

Moreover, The Chrysler Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Chrysler Group, purchased more than 1,500 frozen turkeys, which will also be distributed by the food pantries.

Just last year, the company's food drive helped feed more than 12,000 people.

The food drive was conducted November 1 through 14 and 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 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 Nov. 9.

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