Gwinnett To Fight Hunger With 'Stuff-A-Bus' Donation Drive

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Help your neighbor by helping Gwinnett County Transit and the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services fill a bus with canned goods, nonperishable food and toiletries at the Stuff-A-Bus donation drive.

The donation drive will be held at the Walmart Supercenter at 1400 Lawrenceville Hwy. in Lawrenceville Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We were inspired by other transit agencies’ Stuff-a-Bus events, and we wanted to give back to our community,” Gwinnett County Transit Director Karen Winger said. “This is a way for Gwinnett County Transit to help address hunger locally and spread the word about transit, both of which are especially helpful for people in need.”

Ellen Gerstein, executive director for the Coalition for Health and Human Services, said that this is the time of year when the food bank pantries often run dry.

“We really need people to help out,” Gerstein said. “Even if they bring one or two cans, that makes a difference to people who are doing without. Studies show about 90,000 people in Gwinnett are food insecure, including at least 44,000 children. It is estimated that 8.7 million meals are needed annually to combat hunger in Gwinnett. It affects everything, including learning in children.”

People can bring their donations to the Walmart, or Walmart shoppers can use a handout of preferred items to buy food and toiletries for the Stuff-A-Bus donation drive. Proceeds will be distributed to local cooperative ministries and food pantries.

Preferred food and toiletry items include:

• dry beans (navy/black)
• spaghetti sauce
• canned tomato products
• canned soups (vegetable/broth/cream)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• canned fruit
• stuffing mix
• cranberry sauce
• yams
• pasta
• pancake mix
• taco kits
• gravy mix or jars/cans
• cake mix
• canned meat (chicken/beef)
• rice
• applesauce
• fruit cups
• instant potatoes
• tuna or chicken pouches
• oatmeal
• grits
• canned vegetables (corn/peas/carrots)
• toilet paper
• bath soap
• toothpaste
• shampoo
• laundry detergent
• baby diapers
• garbage bags
• adult diapers
• tissue