Stuff-A-Bus campaign kicks off

The 2014 Stuff-a-Bus Food Drive for Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service kicked off Friday, with donations to be collected throughout the month of November.

For the past 27 years, CityLink, Kroger and the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service have partnered to collect enough food to stuff a classic CityLink bus.  The food is then distributed throughout the year through the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service Food Pantry. More than 70,000 meals are provided annually to needy families in Peoria through Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service emergency service programs.  

Peoria Kroger stores participating in this year’s Stuff-a-Bus campaign are located at 9219 Lindbergh Dr.; 801 W. Lake Ave.; 3311 N. Sterling Ave.; 2321 N. Wisconsin Ave.; and 3103 Harmon Highway.  The Kroger store in East Peoria is also participating. Kroger stores will have pre-bagged food and cash coupons available for purchase to make giving even easier. The contents of the $3, $5 and $10 bags have been selected to provide a good balance of nutritional items.  

Throughout the month of November, various activities will be held in support of the food drive:

• A unique Cat® Multi-Terrain Loader will be unveiled at the Caterpillar Visitors Center on Saturday, Nov. 1. Built out of cans and other non-perishable food products donated by Kroger, this special Loader will remain on display during the month of November. The project was built by the Peoria-based FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team, Robot Casserole.
• The Caterpillar Visitor Center, located at 110 SW Washington Street, will be a drop off location throughout the Stuff-a-Bus campaign.  Guests can make a non-perishable food donation at the Caterpillar Visitors Center in the month of November to support Stuff-A-Bus and receive $1.00 off admission.  The Caterpillar Visitors Center is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the last ticket entry at 3:30pm.  General admission is $7; Seniors (55+), active military and veterans are $6; children 12 and under are free.
• Ride Free Days will be held on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. Passengers can ride free on CityLink buses with a donation of a non-perishable food item. On these days radio station Power 92.3 will broadcast from the CityLink Transit Center.
• Day of Stuffing will take place at the Kroger Store located at 801 W. Lake Ave on Friday, Nov. 14.  All day WMBD and Cumulus Radio will be broadcasting from the location inviting people to come to the store and make their food donation to help fill the CityLink bus.
• Stuff-a-Bus Night at the Peoria Rivermen game against the Columbus Cottonmouths on Nov. 15. Fans can bring a donation of a non-perishable food item and receive a voucher for an upcoming Rivermen game.
• Calendar Day will be Nov. 17 at the CityLink Transit Center. The public can receive a free 2015 Peoria Historical Calendar in exchange for a donation of a non-perishable food item.
• ​Stuff-A-Bus Night at the Peoria Mustangs game against the Wisconsin Whalers on Nov. 22.  Fans can bring a donation of a non-perishable food item and receive a giveaway item courtesy of CityLink.

After the drive, the classic CityLink bus will be weighed with the food and will transport all food contributions to the Friendship House of Christian Service in Peoria. The final results of the campaign will be announced on Dec. 1 at a press conference at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.

Cumulus Radio, WYZZ Fox 43, WMBD CBS31, Bounce Central Illinois and CIPROUD.com are media partners in this food drive and will air public service announcements about the great need to collect enough groceries to keep the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service food pantry open all year long.  The Amalgamated Transit Union #416 is also a participating sponsor.

Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, 800 NE Madison, has been serving those in need on Peoria’s near north side and East Bluff area for the past 63 years providing food, meals, clothing, children’s programs, educational programs, employment preparation, Hispanic outreach, and community support.