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November 26, 2024
The 30th annual ETS Stuff a Bus campaign supports those in need by providing non-perishable food and financial donations to the Edmonton, Strathcona and Parkland Food Bank. The campaign, a partnership between Edmonton Transit Service, Strathcona County Transit Service and Save-On-Foods, runs from November 27 - December 1.
To commemorate three decades of the campaign, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi proclaimed November 27 - December 1 as ETS Stuff a Bus Week in Edmonton.
“Every holiday season, Edmonton comes alive with cheer and spirit. But this time of year can also be challenging for many families,” said Mayor Sohi. “Edmontonians understand that making a great city requires empathy and looking out for one another. This is why the ETS Stuff a Bus campaign began 30 years ago.”
Residents are encouraged to support the campaign by providing a financial or food donation. A full list of donation locations, including dates and times, is available at edmonton.ca/StuffaBus.
People can donate in the following ways:
- ETS buses will be onsite at 15 participating Save-On-Foods locations on November 30. ETS staff will be at each Save-On-Foods collecting donations.
- On November 30, donations will be collected at all Sherwood Park Save-On-Foods to support the Strathcona Food Bank and the Spruce Grove Save-On-Foods to support the Parkland Food Bank.
- Stuff a train at Century Park on November 30 or Clareview LRT station on December 1 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Edmonton’s Food Bank volunteers will be on-site collecting non-perishable food and cashless tap donations.
- Cram a Transit Peace Officer (TPO) cruiser at three Save-On-Foods locations with non-perishable food donations between November 27 - 29.
- Go through the checkout counters at 19 Save-On-Foods locations to donate in $2 denominations.
- Online via Edmonton’s Food Bank website. Under the fund dropdown, select ETS Stuff a Bus (minimum of $3 for online donations).
- By texting FEEDYEG to 20222 to donate $10 or $20 that is added directly to your phone bill
- Purchasing a prepackaged $10 bag of groceries for donation at Save-On-Foods. The bags will be added to the cruisers and buses during the public events, or to the buses on November 30 if purchased before that date.
“Save-On-Foods has been serving the Edmonton market since we opened our first store in the city in 1989. Our stores support Edmonton's Food Bank year-round," said Lance Bell, Regional Director for Save-On-Foods. "We are proud to partner with the City on this campaign - especially now, when people are turning to food banks more than ever. We take great pride in being part of this community."
The need has never been greater. The Food Bank’s hamper program helped 43,000 people in June 2023, an all-time high in the organization’s 43-year history.
"The Stuff a Bus campaign is an incredible example of collaboration and unwavering community support. Stuff a Bus has helped Edmonton’s Food Bank meet the growing needs in our community. The rising cost of living, compounded by inflation, continues to strain individuals and families across Edmonton,” said Marjorie Bencz, Executive Director of Edmonton's Food Bank. “While the journey is challenging, we know we can succeed with the support of partners like ETS and Save-On-Foods as well as the community of donors. You are appreciated!"
Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small, and can help contribute to greater food security throughout the region.
“For 30 years, Stuff a Bus has been one of the Strathcona Food Bank's largest food collection events providing many of the staples that they hand out throughout the year,” said Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank. “Today we are encouraging everyone who can to come out and join us at Save-On-Foods, to come and contribute on November 30th.”
Just a $3.58 contribution feeds one person one meal. No matter how people choose to donate, every box, bag and dollar counts, making a difference and helping fill hearts and homes. In 2023, more than 23,000 kilograms of food was collected at Save-On-Foods locations and over $10,000 in cash was collected through online, text and check-out donations. Since its inception, the Stuff a Bus campaign has collected over 600,000 kilograms of food and $515,000 in cash donations to help feed those in need.
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