Annual stuff-a-bus event fills 20-plus buses with food for city’s needy
More than 20 city buses were packed full of food as the Calgary Food Bank partnered with Calgary Co-op and Calgary Transit for their annual stuff-a-bus event.
The food gets taken to the Calgary Food Bank, where it’s handed out to needy Calgarians during the bank’s busy season, spokeswoman Shawna Ogston said.
“The gal said, ‘We might have to get another bus,’ ” Ogston said with a laugh, saying the food bank may hit a record this year in terms of donations.
“We couldn’t do it without all the Calgary Transit drivers ... they load up more than 20 buses with the food for the day and that helps us get ready for the busy season. The stuff-a-bus is so important because not only is it our unofficial launch for the giving season, but it makes sure we have the shelf stock.”
Ogston, who was at the Richmond Co-op, said they were overwhelmed by the response to Saturday’s event.
“The volunteers on the bus couldn’t get over how generous everyone was,” said Ogston.
“They said, ‘It looks to be busier this year’ and I know Calgarians always come through — it’s amazing.”
The event, which Ogston said is critical for the food bank to function, saw lots of Calgarians bringing in the pre-packaged hampers seen in many grocery stores across the city.
“They’re hugely important — we’ve worked with the stores making sure we are getting a meal in there and that it’s meeting dietary needs of many people,” she said.
“Those pre-packs are not just easy, but planned out as well.”
Over the event’s 25-year history, it’s been one of Calgary’s largest single-day food drives, with more than $2 million raised. Last year’s stuff-a-bus raised more than 51,000 pounds of food and $58,000 in funds.
“We’ve never seen a dip in need at the Calgary Food Bank,” Ogston said. “We’re doing between 5,000 and 6,000 hampers a month.”