Transit Agencies, Albertsons and Girl Scouts Join the San Diego Food Bank for Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive

More than 460,000 people in San Diego County are impacted by hunger, including 137,000 children. To combat this problem, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), North County Transit District (NCTD), Albertsons/Lucky and local Girl Scouts are asking San Diego residents to help drive away hunger with the 7th Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive during the first week of December.

People can make canned-food donations at any of the 39 San Diego County Albertsons locations from Dec. 1 - 5. Then, on Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., people are invited to help 'Stuff the Bus' at select Albertsons and Lucky locations around the county.

Of the 3.1 million San Diego County residents, 462,269 people live in poverty, of which nearly 30 percent are children. Stuff the Bus organizers are challenging San Diego residents to donate enough canned food items to provide more than 19,000 meals for the holiday season. All food donations will go directly to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, which will then be distributed to local organizations that help the hungry.

"MTS launched the Stuff the Bus food drive seven years ago not only to collect food for families in need, but to help raise community awareness about the issue of hunger in San Diego," said Paul Jablonski, chief executive officer of MTS. "This is a great partnership for a great cause and we are confident the community will step up to the challenge."

"Families not having enough food to eat continues to be a major issue throughout our country. We're thankful for the chance to be part of this food drive that addresses the problem within one of our communities," said Wendy Oliver, vice president of operations for Albertsons Southern California Division. "Stuff the Bus barrels will be prominently located in each of our San Diego locations for the week leading up to December 6, and we look forward to seeing them filled throughout the week."

"Living in America's Finest City, it's easy to forget how pressing food insecurity is in our communities," said James A. Floros, president & CEO of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. "Last year, our organization provided more than 18.3 million meals to San Diego families in need. We're very grateful for the partnership with MTS, NCTD, Albertsons and Girl Scouts, which helps bring much needed awareness to the issue of food insecurity in San Diego."

"We are thrilled to assist our San Diego neighbors in such a meaningful way this holiday season," said Bill Horn, board chairman of North County Transit District. "Our buses will be moving food and other essential items for families in need.  This is a wonderful opportunity for North County residents to help take care of those who need it the most."

More than 50 Girl Scout troops will be at Albertsons stores on Saturday, Dec. 6 to thank those who donate. "Service is at the heart of Girl Scouting," said Jo Dee C. Jacob, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego. "As they collect food in their schools and neighborhoods, Girl Scouts will put into action their pledge to be helpful, considerate and caring, and to make the world a better place."

When the food drive ends at 2 p.m., the buses will caravan to the Food Bank, where military volunteers from the Armed Services YMCA will help unload each bus.