Free Ride On Bus Trip Comes With Food Donation

ROCKVILLE, MD — Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during Montgomery County's 30th annual “Give and Ride” food drive to help Montgomery County's neediest families from Sunday, April 23 through Saturday, April 29.

Food collected through the drive will be donated to the Manna Food Center in Gaithersburg, which provides nutritious food to thousands of families experiencing hunger. According to Manna and Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study of 2014, about 79,000 to 81,000 of Montgomery County residents do not know where their next meal will come from. Each day, Manna provides an average of 179 families with nutritious food to relieve hunger and worry.

Manna continues to see a steady increase in the number of families needing assistance. Several years ago, the drive was shifted to the spring to help Manna stock its shelves at a time when their food supplies run low, as donations slow down in the spring and summer months.

Requested non-perishable food items include canned fruit or vegetables, canned chicken, tuna or salmon, canned or dried beans, nut butters, roasted nuts, whole grain rice or pasta, oatmeal, shelf-stable milk boxes and granola/cereal bars. View a list of the foods most needed online. In addition to non-perishable food; items for children — such as healthy items, disposable diapers, formula, baby or toddler food and juice — are especially needed.

Appropriate foods may be used by Manna Food Center for their “Smart Sack” program for kids, which provides weekend food for 2,450 needy, elementary school students. Donated items should be in unbreakable containers only.

Food collection bags will be placed near the fare boxes on all Ride On buses. Donated items should be in unbreakable containers only. Even if you don’t use Ride On, you can still donate items. Give your donations to any Ride On bus operator, or drop off donations directly to Manna Foods at 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Photo: Montgomery County Ride On