TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - StarMetro will launch its annual Stuff the Bus food drive to support America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend on Thursday.
StarMetro hopes, with help from the community, to provide thousands of meals to residents in need, according to a news release.
"So we are trying to build upon our success last year and we did over 2000 pounds worth of food last year and this year were expecting to meet or exceed that and I know we will with the help of all of our community partners and our generous community," said Lavonia Jones, a City of Tallahassee communication specialist.
Last year, StarMetro collected 2,000 pounds of food, which helped provide more than 2,000 meals to local families.
Second Harvest said one in five people – including children, families and seniors – in the Big Bend are at risk of not having enough to eat.
February and March are traditionally slow months for food donations at Second Harvest but the need doesn't wane.
To help stock the food bank's shelves, StarMetro will collect donations of non-perishable food for the next four weeks. Canned vegetables, boxes of pasta, rice, cereal, canned meat and peanut butter are ideal as they can be used to make balanced meals.
To encourage donations and start the effort off in the right direction, free StarMetro bus passes for same day travel will be offered all day on February 1 to those who donate non-perishable food items.
Citizens who donate two items can ride free one way, and those who donate three items can ride free all day.
Donations will be accepted from February 1 - 28 on StarMetro buses.
You can also donate at the City facilities listed below and at more than 30 locations throughout Tallahassee. For a full list of donation drop-off sites, visit Talgov.com/StarMetro.
- C.K. Steele Plaza, 111 W. Tennessee St.
- Jack McLean Jr. Community Center, 700 Paul Russell Rd.
- Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St.
- Sue Herndon McCollum Community Center, 501 Ingleside Ave.
- Forestmeadows Park & Athletic Center, 4750 N. Meridian Rd.
- Tallahassee Police Department, 234 E. Seventh Ave.
- Tallahassee Fire Department, all 16 stations
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