Organizers of the Stuff-a-Bus campaign say this year’s food drive was a success.
CityLink and Peoria Friendship House concluded their annual food drive with the unloading of a derelict bus filled with more than seven tons of food donations Tuesday.
Friendship House CEO Melanie McNiff says the non-profit is seeing about 10 to 15 new families a week who’ve never previously relied on a food pantry. McNiff says she thinks cuts in state spending and the budget freeze are to blame.
“Just by those numbers alone, I’d have to say there is an impact on the community," McNiff said. "We’re just thankful to be there and to be able to do something to help them with it.”
McNiff says Peoria Friendship House typically feeds about 140 households each week. Many of those meals come from the Stuff-A-Bus food drive. This year's campaign collected a total of 9.15 tons of food. Last year, they collected about the same amount and lasted until May, McNiff said.