Grocery shoppers at Kroger today were met by television cameras at the checkout aisle. The Stuff-a-Bus food drive launched its annual campaign with its loftiest goal yet. The idea is to collect so much food it won’t all fit in a retired CityLink Bus.
This year’s goal to raise 13 tons of food is driven by a shortage at the Peoria Friendship House pantry. CEO Melanie McNiff says the nonprofit ran out of food for the first time ever.
“We actually didn’t think that we could fill the bus any more than we did last year,” McNiff said.
Last year’s campaign, which ended in Nov., collected more than nine tons of food. McNiff says that stock ran out in April. She says that’s worrisome because securing a reliable food source is the first step to helping someone transition out of poverty.
Outside the store, Arsenio Davis gathered shopping carts, near the empty bus.
“A lot of people need food, a lot of people need some help, it’s hard out here for a lot of people,” Davis said.
Davis says ten years ago he was homeless. Now he works three jobs. As a bagger at Kroger, customers and employees recognize him for his smile and jokester personality.
“I like to engage with all of my customers, make them happy, make them feel like they’re at home,” Davis said.
Davis says he hopes people fill the bus parked outside, because he says, life’s too short not to help those in need.
McNiff says a slowed economy is affecting all parts of the Peoria community.
“There’s as many white or black or Latino families that are coming through the door as anyone. I don’t think there’s any majority. It’s a real cross section, and a real cross section of ages.”
The Friendship House says weekly, it sees between 75-120 families who are dealing with hunger.
Donations will be collected at all Peoria Kroger locations and the Kroger store in East Peoria until November 28th.