Farmington Hills Kids Pack Thanksgiving Bags for 75 Families

A company tied to the auto industry, a local grocery store and a food service distributor joined forces this week with a group of students to bring Thanksgiving cheer to 75 local families. 

On Monday afternoon at the , 8-10 students from the after school program helped pack bags with a turkey, pumpkin pie, potatoes, rolls and other Thanksgiving dinner trimmings. The bags were delivered to 25 seniors and families identified through a variety of sources, Hills Youth and Family Services director Todd Lipa said.

Farmington Hills-based PKC Group, which makes vehicle wiring harnesses, raised funds for the project. Groceries were purchased at  and provided the frozen turkeys and frozen pumpkin pies, said Kitty Ostach, youth program coordinator. 

Craig Harju, global real estate manager for PKC Group, said the company was part of Alcoa when it first got involved with the after school program in 2004. "The Chamber of Commerce connected us with various things in the community," he said. 

Harju said the company's "Synergy Team," a group of employees who volunteer for local events and charities, raises funds for the holiday project during the year. They also adopt a family for Christmas and have participated in Habitat for Humanity projects.

"We're giving to the community we work in, and that some of us live in," he said.