EDMONTON — With the holiday season right around the corner, the Edmonton Transit System is encouraging Edmontonians to help it drive out hunger.
ETS launched the 21st annual Stuff a Bus campaign Tuesday. From Wednesday until Saturday, volunteers will be at select Save-On-Foods stores and various transit stations collecting donations for area food banks. (See schedule below).
WATCH: On the first day of the Stuff a Bus campaign, reporter Erin Chalmers spoke with the Edmonton Food Bank about the need for donations live on the Morning News.
“Twenty years ago Stuff a Bus was started by an ETS employee and it’s turned into one of the most impactful community campaigns we support,” said Ken Koropeski, ETS manager. “ETS truly extends its gratitude to all our partners for their incredible work, which makes Stuff a Bus one of the largest annual food drives in Edmonton.”
Earlier this month, Food Banks Canada released a report showing food bank usage has increased 1.3 per cent across the country in the past year, hitting Alberta the hardest.
According to the report, 67,443 hungry people walked through the doors of Alberta’s food banks in March, 2015 – 23.4 per cent more than the March before.
“In December, and every month of the year, more than 15,000 Edmontonians turn to the food bank, and thankfully those who are more fortunate care about their neighbours,” said Ward 1 city councillor Andrew Knack. “Please keep up Edmonton’s proud tradition of generosity this holiday season.”
READ MORE: Food bank visits spike across Canada – in Alberta most of all
Since it started in 1995, the Stuff a Bus campaign has collected more than 386,549 kilograms of food and $370,285 in cash donations to help feed Edmontonians.
The annual campaign supports Edmonton’s Food Bank, Strathcona Food Bank (with Strathcona County Transit) and Parkland Food Bank.
WATCH: The Edmonton Transit System’s 21st annual Stuff a Bus campaign is underway. Morning News reporter Erin Chalmers spoke an Edmonton Transit employee on why donations are so important.
Volunteers will be collecting donations at the following locations on the following dates:
Wednesday, Nov. 25
- Century Park Transit Centre – 6 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Save-On-Foods 11180 Ellerslie Road – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 26
- Clareview Transit Centre – 6 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Save-On-Foods 9510 – 160 Avenue – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday Nov. 27
- Save-On-Foods 3361 Calgary Trail NW- 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28
- All 14 Save-On-Foods stores in Edmonton – 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- LRT car at Clareview Station – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
An ETS bus will be at the Spruce Grove Save-On-Foods location on Nov. 28. Strathcona County Transit buses will also be at the Sherwood Park Save-On-Foods on Nov. 28.
For more information on the Stuff a Bus campaign, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
WATCH: Food banks across Alberta are struggling to keep up with demand and that includes Edmonton’s as well. Kendra Slugoski reports. (Tue, Nov 17 )
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