Fifth Annual “Stuff the Bus” Holiday Food Drive Set for December 1

ALBERTSONS pre-packaged food bags coupled with other generous donations will help meet the 15,000 lb goal

San Diego, CA –Within the last five years, the number of San Diego residents relying on the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank for their meals has almost doubled. In these challenging economic times, the Food Bank is feeding more than 350,000 people countywide each month.  With so many families struggling to put food on their tables this holiday season, the time for action is now and the region’s transit operators and Albertsons are responding with the Fifth Annual “Stuff the Bus” Holiday Food Drive for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), North County Transit District (NCTD), Albertsons San Diego stores and the Armed Services YMCA are mobilizing for the one-day community-wide food drive.  On December 1st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MTS and NCTD will park a 40-foot bus in front of 15 Albertsons stores to collect food donated by generous San Diegans. 

In addition, all 41 Albertsons stores in San Diego County will be selling pre-packaged bags of nutritious and non-perishable food items for $5 and $10.  The bags will be on sale November 26 through 29. On Saturday, all donated bags will be added to the “Stuff the Bus” donations.

“The ‘Stuff the Bus’ Holiday Food Drive lets San Diego’s transit agencies help our community in a big way,” noted MTS Board Chairman Harry Mathis. “This one-day effort has the potential to collect 15,000 pounds of food. The food will go to those in need, the majority of who are low-income and working poor families with children.”

NCTD Board Chairman and City of San Marcos Councilmember Chris Orlando says, “We also are mindful that this includes more than 13,000 low-income military personnel and their dependents who live in San Diego and receive this critical assistance from organizations that work with the Food Bank.” 

The Armed Services YMCA is one of more than 300 local organizations that distribute food provided by the San Diego Food Bank.  Armed Services YMCA Executive Director Paul Steffens says, “The Food Bank makes it possible for the organizations like ours to help families get through tough times.” 

Steffens adds, “We want to thank MTS, NCTD, Albertsons, and the entire San Diego community for making sure families in need will be able to celebrate the holidays without having to wonder where their next meal will come from.”

Food Bank Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs Chris Carter says, “With continuing high unemployment, thousands of low income and middle class families are struggling to put food on the table for their families over the holidays – so the ‘Stuff the Bus’ Food Drive is very important to us.”

On Saturday, December 1, transit volunteers and Armed Services YMCA military families will be stationed at each of the 15 Albertsons stores from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to thank donors for their support and participation.  At 2:00 p.m. the buses will caravan to the Food Bank where a cadre of military volunteers will be waiting to unload each bus as it pulls in. For a list of the 15 “Stuff the Bus” locations or a list of non-perishable foods items to donate, visit www.sdmts.com.

 

                           MTS & NCTD 2012 STUFF THE BUS LOCATIONS

                               December 1, 2012 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm


Chula Vista                                                                    Rancho Peñasquitos
720 3RD Avenue                                                            Rancho Bernardo
                                                                                      14340 Peñasquitos Road

Clairemont                                                                     Rancho San Diego

5950 Balboa Avenue                                                       2899 Jamacha Road

San Carlos                                                                      San Marcos

8650 Lake Murray Boulevard                                          151 Woodland Parkway

Escondido                                                                       Santee

1570 West Valley Parkway                                               9870 Magnolia Avenue

La Mesa                                                                          Spring Valley

8920 Fletcher Parkway                                                    543 Sweetwater Road

Lemon Grove                                                                   Tierrasanta

7090 Broadway                                                               10633 Tierrasanta Boulevard

Oceanside                                                                       Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch

3450 Marron Road                                                          10740 West  View Parkway
          and

3926 Mission Avenue

 

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