FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2020
Food donations are being accepted virtually or at any Albertsons or Vons locations through Dec. 12
*Click here for photos and b-roll of online food drive portal
*Click here to download news conference video (Spanish soundbite begins at 22:40)
San Diego – The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left 600,000 San Diegans in need of food this holiday season, and has doubled the demand at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to provide emergency assistance to families in the region. This is why The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), North County Transit District (NCTD), Albertsons/Vons, and Girl Scouts San Diego are teaming up once again with the San Diego Food Bank and the North County Food Bank for the 13th annual Stuff the Bus food drive, and help provide donations in this moment of crisis. Donations will also help feed nearly 15,000 seniors living in poverty, and students from 47 elementary schools and eight school districts who rely on free meals as their primary source of nutrition.
San Diego residents are being asked to help drive hunger away by donating $5 for hunger bags at check out, or any non-perishable food item at any of the 73 San Diego County Albertsons or Vons locations during the week of December 7-12.
Stuff the Bus organizers are challenging San Diego residents to break last year’s record of 178,600 pounds of food for families during Stuff the Bus week. All donations will go directly to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and the North County Food Bank which will then be distributed to help families in need.
“MTS launched Stuff the Bus 13 years ago to raise awareness about the issue with hunger in San Diego and help families in need,” said Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Vice-chair of the MTS Board of Directors and National City Mayor. “This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has left thousands unemployed or furloughed, making it even more difficult for families to put food on the table. As a community, we must do our best to help those in need, and I’m confident San Diegans will step up to the challenge.”
“As a company, we are fully committed to hunger relief programs, and are proud to host a food drive tackling this important issue,” said Rick Williams, Vons & Albertsons Area Vice President. “Stuff the Bus and donation barrels are prominently located in all Albertsons and Vons locations in San Diego for this worthy cause, and we look forward to seeing them filled throughout the week.”
Ways to Donate:
- Virtual Food Drive: This year, San Diegans are able to donate from the comfort of their home. By accessing the virtual shopping portal, they are able to purchase food items and donate directly to the food bank. This portal emulates a store’s check-out area and people are able to choose which items to donate, and how many.
- In-Person Donations: Vons and Albertsons both have pre-packaged “hunger bags” available for shoppers to purchase for $5 and donate at check out. Or, shoppers can donate any nonperishable food item dropping them off in the red barrels at any of the 73 stores in San Diego.
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank president & CEO James Floros said, “We are very grateful to MTS, NCTD, Vons, Albertsons, Girl Scouts San Diego, and our supporters for helping us feed families in need this holiday season. Every can of food donated will prevent a San Diegan from going to bed hungry. On behalf of the Food Bank’s staff and family of volunteers, we thank the community for supporting the Stuff the Bus Food Drive and helping our fellow San Diegans in need.”
"With so many families facing hunger and food insecurity throughout this pandemic, NCTD is glad to once again be a partner in this important event," said Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair and Encinitas Councilmember. "We hope to see our North County residents stuff our buses to the brim and brighten the holiday season for our neighbors in need."
Stuff the Bus is Girl Scouts San Diego’s largest countywide service project. Girl Scouts earn a patch by volunteering for this event and leading their own friends-and-family grocery collections and delivering the donations at the drop-off sites.
“Stuff the Bus brings hundreds of Girl Scouts together with the community to help alleviate the critical problem of hunger,” said Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego. “Taking action to make the world a better place is a cornerstone of Girl Scouting. Through programs like Stuff the Bus, Girl Scouts learn firsthand how to become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens.”
For additional Stuff the Bus information, including a list of most needed grocery items, visit the MTS website at sdmts.com or the NCTD website at GoNCTD.com.
###
