COAST bus ‘Day it Forward’ campaign to benefit Gather

DOVER — COAST bus company is planning a “Day it Forward” campaign in support of fellow nonprofit Gather in honor of 2024 being a leap year.

COAST will give all its fare box collections on Feb. 29 and staff contributions to Gather, along with food and personal care items from a Stuff-A-Bus event at Hannaford on Central Avenue in Dover. COAST will also match any bus tickets bought and donated to Gather clients online until Feb. 29.

“This year we have an extra day to do something good and make the world a better place,” said Vanessa Polychronis, COAST community & employee relations manager. “COAST and Gather serve many of the same people and communities. This year’s ‘Day it Forward’ campaign is a chance to make sure that Gather can respond to those who are experiencing food insecurity this winter. Let’s work together to do something good with the extra 24 hours we have this year.”

You can participate in the “Day it Forward” campaign in three ways:

● Drop cash in any COAST fare box on Feb. 29.

● Donate food or personal care items at the Stuff-A-Bus event at Hannaford, 833 Central Avenue in Dover, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

● Buying bus tickets for Gather clients at https://coastbus.org/give. COAST will match your donation.

The mission of Gather is to offer innovative programs that build food security in welcoming and dignified ways. For over 200 years, Gather has provided fresh, healthy food to individuals experiencing food insecurity in Greater Seacoast communities. Gather distributes food via mobile markets, fresh food bus, and food pantries in Portsmouth, Rochester, Somersworth, Dover, Farmington, Kittery, Seabrook, Hampton and Hampton Falls.

More information about COAST, including schedules and fares, can be found at www.coastbus.org.