34th Annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive Wraps Up with 10.16 Tons of Donations Collected

The 34^th Annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive to benefit the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service officially wrapped up on Tuesday, November 30.  The campaign began on October 22 and concluded with a press conference at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service to announce the total weight of the bus filled with the food collected during the campaign.

The total weight of the food collected on the bus during the campaign was 18,840 pounds or 9.42 tons.  An additional 1,480 pounds of excess donations that were unable to fit on the bus were loaded onto a CityLink van.  The total weight of donations collected during this year’s Stuff-A-Bus food drive totaled 20,320 pounds or 10.16 tons.

“We are thrilled we were able to collect 10.16 tons of food during the 34^th Annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive this year.  After having a virtual food drive last year, it was exciting to see the vintage bus fill up with donations over the past few weeks.  It is obvious by the amount of donations collected that this food drive would not be a success without the generosity and support we receive from the community.  These donations are a blessing to the families we serve and will keep our food pantry filled for the next several months,” said Marcellus Sommerville, President and CEO of Peoria Friendship House.

For the past 34 years, CityLink has hosted the Stuff-A-Bus food drive to help eliminate hunger in Peoria.  With a long partnership with Kroger to collect enough food to stuff a classic CityLink bus, the donations collected during the annual food drive benefit the food pantry at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.

Cumulus Radio, WYZZ Fox 43, WMBD CBS 31 and CIPROUD.com were media partners in this food drive.  The Amalgamated Transit Union Local #416 is also a long-time participating sponsor of Stuff-A-Bus.

Other organizations and businesses that volunteered their time, resources and/or collected food include:

Adams Outdoor Advertising; Ag-Land FS; Amalgamated Transit Union Local #416; B20 Club in Illinois; Central Illinois Ghostbusters; CityLink administrative staff; City of West Peoria administrative staff and residents; Christ Lutheran School and Pre-School; Church 2:14; Clubs at River City; Cumulus Radio staff and listeners; Family Dollar store locations on N. Wisconsin, NE Jefferson and S. Western in Peoria; Family Dollar store located on Derby in Pekin; First Baptist Church of Peoria; First Mid Bank and Trust; Greater Peoria YMCA; OneFire Media/Peoria Next Innovation Center; Myah’s Just 4 Kids Learning Center; Peoria Chiefs; Peoria Christian High School; Peoria Disposal Company; Peoria District 150 Schools: CT Vivian Primary School, Kellar Primary School, Mark W. Bills Middle School and Pleasant Hill School; Peoria Heights Grade School; Peoria Mustangs; Peoria Riverfront Museum; Peoria Rivermen; River City Construction; Tazewell County Resource Center; Tazewell Motors; Transdev staff (CityLift and CountyLink); Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Peoria; Wilder-Waite Elementary School; and WMBD/WYZZ staff and viewers.

The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service was established in 1951 as a response to the great need for assistance to individuals and families living in deep poverty.  Peoria Friendship House provides valuable services such as food, medical assistance, youth education, adult education, employment preparation, and finance and employment coaching, while encouraging lasting change for those it serves. Their Advocacy, Coaching, Education and Support approach provides wrap-around services supported by short and long-term coaching for both the Latino and English-speaking communities.  The staff at the Peoria Friendship House are dedicated to providing hope and guidance that offers a “hand-up” rather than handout.

Peoria Friendship House forms collaborations with community partners to provide resources outside of their agency.  For further information on Peoria Friendship House programs, please call 309-671-5200 or visit their website at www.friendship.house.  The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is proud to be a Heart of Illinois United Way Community Partner.