Peckham’s Holiday Spirit: Giving Back to Its Employees and Community
At Peckham, a nonprofit dedicated to creating job opportunities for people with disabilities and barriers to employment year-round, the holiday season is a special time to rally around the team and the wider community. 2025 is no exception. Here’s a brief look at four ways in which Peckham gives back.
Stacia Cramer, Food Services Manager, breaks out her spreadsheets in early September in advance of the massive mission of preparing Thanksgiving meals for over 2,500 Peckham team members and staff. Tallying headcounts across sites—factoring in vegans, dietary needs, and even second-shift workers who might need grab-and-go options, Stacia and company fire up the ovens by mid-September, building up to smoking around 110 turkeys for mid-to-late November consumption. It’s a logistical puzzle, with some dishes frozen ahead and others prepped fresh right before delivery. This year, they even added two more sites, Revolution Farms West by Peckham and the call center in Battle Creek, bumping up the total without skipping a beat. It’s all about making sure every employee feels included in the celebration, no matter the location or schedule.
Then there’s the 3PL food drive, a staple for five years running. Shipping and Receiving Supervisor Elizabeth Starin took coordinated efforts that include team members and staff pitching in throughout November, collecting canned goods and other comestibles that get trucked over to the Greater Lansing Food Bank with help from a local driver. It’s a straightforward way to remind everyone that giving back strengthens the community they’re part of. As Elizabeth is quick to point out, even one can make an impact, fostering that sense of shared pride without any fanfare.
The Blaffle—short for “blessing raffle”—adds a fun twist to the season. Departments across Peckham compete to build the best holiday baskets, turning it into a friendly rivalry. Human services staff nominate team members and their families facing tough times, such as financial strains, health issues and other hardships. This year, out of nearly 120 nominations, they picked close to 30 families, reaching over 100 people total. It’s a direct way to show support, delivering baskets that ease holiday pressures and remind folks they’re not alone. Participants describe it as an emotional boost, connecting everyone through simple acts of kindness.
Peckham’s veterans’ initiative rounds out the giving back efforts, partnering with HUD-VASH to aid homeless veterans and their families. What began as veteran staff chipping in for kids’ presents has grown to include all employees. This year, they’re covering eight families and 15 children, with gifts selected from lists provided by VA case managers. As of mid-December, the bundles of gifts were headed (perhaps by sleigh?) to the VA for distribution. For the vets on Peckham’s team, it’s a meaningful nod to their community, backed by an organization that’s long supported military folks.
These programs highlight how Peckham turns the holidays giving back season into a team effort, lifting spirits and addressing tangible needs. By no means just giving lip service to the idea of “giving back,” Peckham finds and delivers on practical ways to ensure employees and the community end the year on a stronger, joy-filled note. In a world full of challenges, these traditions keep the focus on neighbor helping neighbor, whether around the corner or hundreds of miles away.