Stuff-A-Bus

38th Annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive Wraps Up with 14 Tons of Donations Collected

The 38th Annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive to benefit the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service officially wrapped up on Monday, December 1.  The campaign began on October 10 and concluded with a press conference at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service on Tuesday, December 2 to announce the total weight of the food collected during the campaign, immediately followed by the Peoria Rivermen players and other volunteers unloading the bus of the donations collected.

The total weight of donations collected on the bus during this year’s Stuff-A-Bus food drive totaled 30,864 pounds or 14 tons.   

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our major donors whose generosity significantly increased our grand total. Thank you to Kroger for donating two pallets of food valued at $2,400, the Community Foundation of Central Illinois for contributing $5,000, and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local #416 for their generous $1,200 donation.

“We are grateful that a total of 14 tons of food were collected on the CityLink bus during the 38th Annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive.  This food drive would not be a success without the generosity and support we receive from the local community.  These donations are a blessing to the families we serve, and they will keep our food pantry filled for the next several months.” ~ Marcellus Sommerville, President and CEO of Peoria Friendship House. 

For the past 38 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 retro styled and wrapped CityLink bus, the donations collected during the annual food drive benefit the food pantry at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.  In a year, the Peoria Friendship House food pantry provides an average of 150,000 meals to those dealing with hunger in Peoria. 

In addition to Kroger, 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:

Amalgamated Transit Union Local #416; Busey Bank; Central Illinois Ghostbusters; CityLink staff; City of East Peoria residents; City of West Peoria administrative staff and residents; Coach Bre Cottage Cheerleading and Dance Company; Community Foundation of Central Illinois; Cumulus Radio staff and listeners; Embassy Suites of East Peoria; First Baptist Church of Peoria; Fondulac District Library; Jones Bros. Jewelers; Kroger; Peoria Chiefs; Peoria Mustangs; Pekin Police Department; Peoria Fire Department; Peoria Production Solutions; Peoria District 150 Schools: Peoria High School, Richwoods High School, Trewyn K-8 School; Peoria Police Department Cadets; Peoria Rivermen; U.S. Air Force Recruiting; 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 friendship.house.  The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is proud to be a Heart of Illinois United Way Community Partner.

For the most up-to-date information on this year’s food drive, please “like” the Stuff-A-Bus Facebook page at facebook.com/stuffabuspeoria.

RECOMMENDED FOOD DONATIONS

• Protein – Canned Meat, Beef Stew, Tuna, Canned Chili, Peanut Butter, Canned and Dried Beans
• Fruits & Vegetables – Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Canned Soup, Fruit Juices, Jelly
• Carbohydrates – Pasta, Rice, Instant Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese, Cereal, Pancake Mix, Oatmeal, Cake Mixes
• Dairy – Canned Milk, Instant Pudding
• Baby Food / Forumula
• Water – Bottled or Gallons