Edmonton Transit’s ‘Stuff a Bus’ campaign returns amid high demand for food banks

The ETS “Stuff a Bus” campaign is back for its 29th year, hoping to provide help for those in need before the holidays.

The annual event is set for this weekend at 15 Save-On-Foods locations across the city.

Leading up to Saturday’s big showcase, the “Stuff a Cruiser” event – partnering with the city’s transit peace officers – is taking place Wednesday to Friday.

“There’s many ways to get involved in the ‘Stuff a Bus’ campaign,” said Peter Haight, a customer engagement associate with ETS. “Today we have a peace officer here, we’ll have another one at another store tomorrow and Friday, and Saturday is the main event with buses at each of the 15 Save-On-Foods stores.”

Over the 29 years, the ‘Stuff a Bus’ campaign has helped collect more than 500,000 kg of food and more than $500,000 for Edmonton’s Food Bank.

Those at the food bank say this year is especially tough for people struggling.

“For the last 18 months, two years, we’ve been struggling to keep up with the volume of need in our community,” said Tamisan Bencz, the food bank’s manager of strategic relationships and partnerships. “The cost of everything from housing, to fuel, to food prices is going up, and it is affecting everyone.

“This food is essential and important because of the volume of people coming that need our help.”

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And because of the high inflation, the food bank is seeing fewer donations.

“So it does affect the donors,” Bencz said. “Our clients are getting hit with it, our donors are feeling that pinch. But people have been good. And people that can give are giving.”

The ‘Stuff a Bus’ campaign runs from Wednesday through Saturday. Donations can be made through purchasing pre-packaged donations or by donating non-perishable items.