Capital Metro, Whole Foods Market and the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas have teamed up once again to encourage the community to help Stuff the Bus to help area residents in need, expanding the event with buses to fill at two Whole Foods Market locations.
The goal of the three-day event is to fill two Capital Metro buses with non-perishable food items, which will provide up to 30,000 nutritious meals to those struggling with hunger. The food drive benefits the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, which works with nearly 300 partner agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. Food items will be collected Dec. 12-14, at all area Whole Foods Market locations and two Capital Metro buses parked at the Downtown and Domain Whole Foods Market locations.
“This is our third year challenging the community to help support families in need, and this year we want to collect twice as much as we did last year,” said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda Watson. “By partnering with the Capital Area Food Bank, the impact of this event goes far beyond Austin, helping brighten many peoples’ holiday season."
This year, “Stuff the Bus” will expand to include an additional flagship collection location at the Whole Foods Market Domain store. Buses parked at the Domain and Downtown stores will be open for donations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Volunteers will be on hand to accept the food items.
“We’re so excited to expand Stuff the Bus to our Domain store,” said Lindsay Mucha, store team leader for Whole Foods Market Domain. “North Austin has such a strong sense of community and we’re thrilled to offer an easy, fun and tangible way for Whole Foods Market shoppers and Team Members to support the Capital Area Food Bank this holiday season, along with our partners at Capital Metro.”
The Food Bank encourages donations of healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned meats like tuna, stew and chili; canned vegetables; pasta and pasta sauce; beans; healthy cereals; non-fat dry milk powder and peanut butter.
“No one should go hungry, especially during the holidays,” said Hank Perret, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. “We’re proud to partner with community leaders such as Whole Foods and Capital Metro to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Together, we’re hoping to provide over 30,000 meals to local families in need. So, let’s stuff these buses.”
