Automaker employees distribute food to 320 students

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As students across Howard County prepare for the holiday break this week, Stellantis employees are stepping in to help ensure the time away from school begins with comfort, support, and something meaningful to take home.

A trailer loaded with more than a ton of food made its way to six local elementary schools on Dec. 18, delivering 320 Buddy Bags to students who need them most. Led by Kokomo powertrain operations general manager Jeremy Keating and Kokomo Casting plant manager Jeremy Agnew, employees from the Kokomo Engine, Kokomo Casting, Kokomo Transmission, and Indiana Transmission plants, worked together throughout the day to provide meal support for the holiday break when school cafeterias are closed.

The distribution took place during the school day, with teachers and school staff handing out Buddy Bags to students identified as needing extra support over the extended break. Inside the schools, the atmosphere reflected more than a routine drop-off. Volunteers greeted educators, teachers expressed gratitude, and families received a bit of relief during one of the busiest times of the year.

“Seeing those bags go directly to students is what matters most,” said Keating. “Knowing the support added up to more than a ton of food makes you appreciate the incredible impact our employees and community can have on local families.”

The Buddy Bags program, coordinated through the United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties, provides ready-to-use meal items designed to supplement school-provided nutrition throughout the academic year. As the holiday break begins, the bags going home with students offer more than food. They provide peace of mind, stability, and a reminder that the community is there to help carry families through.