Every August, Toyota’s North American casting plants in Missouri and Tennessee mark Team Member Appreciation Month. This year’s theme is Piece by Piece, We Build Our Success Together. In addition to fun contests, an appreciation gift and delicious meals, the plants gave team members a chance to give back.

Volunteers gathered around long tables stacked with backpacks, blankets, books, hygiene products, journals and stuffed animals. They filled each pack with essentials — and a handwritten note of encouragement meant to make an uncertain journey feel a little less daunting.

Known as Packing Parties, both events were held in collaboration with Comfort Cases, a nationwide non-profit, that works to help youth in foster care.

“At Toyota, we know that being a good neighbor means showing up for our communities,” said Todd Williams, president of Toyota Missouri and Toyota Tennessee. “These Packing Parties gave our team members the opportunity to do more than volunteer. They were an opportunity to help kids feel valued, supported and cared for during what is likely a difficult time.”

For Toyota team members who participated, the Packing Party was further proof of the company’s commitment to the community.

Jared Hernandez, a team leader in maintenance at Toyota Tennessee, knows firsthand what that support can mean. Having spent time in the foster care system, he welcomed the opportunity to give back.

“Toyota does a lot for the community; this is definitely great seeing them pack bags for foster kids because you don’t see a lot of organizations doing that,” he said.

By the end of each Packing Party, the tables were clear and the backpacks were ready to be distributed. A total of 300 bags were distributed to local child services agencies:

• The Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse
• The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri
• Divine Nest
• Missouri Department of Social Services