County Transit hitch with Food Bank to feed hungry
As the holiday season approaches three Imperil Valley organizations teamed up to help the food insecure by offering free transit for a donation of a food item with a campaign that began Monday.
Stuff-A-Bus is a program aimed to share the Thanksgiving spirit initiated by Imperial County Transportation Commission in association with Imperial Valley Food Bank and Imperial Valley Transit (IVT buses). IVT patrons who donate a food item receive a free ride through Nov. 17 said Mark Baza, executive director of ICTC.
“It’s a small contribution to the Imperial Valley Food Bank as they gear up for the holidays,” said Baza. “We’ll leave a donation box in each of the fixed route buses providing service throughout the county.”
Patrons ride the bus for free as long as they bring a canned good or other nonperishable items each time they board the bus to Nov. 17. “Last year we collected 900 pounds of food while our goal this year is to exceed over 1,000 pounds of food. A donation box is on each bus and we’ll set a date, to be announced when we’ll deliver those goods to the food bank when we’ll hold a small ceremony.”
The top 10 items sought are: spaghetti sauce/pasta, peanut butter, cereal, canned meats, rice, dry beans, dry milk, canned vegetables, stew/chili and macaroni and cheese.
“This is our way to help out the food bank since they’re providing food across Imperial Valley and don’t have inexhaustible resources,” Baza remarked.
It was a shrewd idea noted Sara Griffen, executive director of IVFB and a good way to help the food insecure, especially at this time of the year.
The USDA Agricultural Research Service estimates 1.2 pounds of food makes a meal, so 900 pounds of food from last represents nearly 800 meals.
“I’m sure those 800 people are going to be happy,” said Griffen. “This is also a good example for children (riding the bus) to learn about the need of the less fortunate. It will increase everybody’s self-awareness about food insecurity.”
Also, organizers would like to remind people in place of a bus ride; residents can always donate a check for the food bank at Imperial Valley Transit, 792 E. Ross Road, El Centro.