By Emily Watson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, CityLink

The 2016 Stuff-A-Bus food drive for Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service officially begins on Friday, October 28 at 10:00am. Representatives from CityLink, the Peoria Friendship House and Kroger will be on hand to kick off the 29th annual food drive. The goal this year is to collect 13 tons of food and overstuff the bus.

For the past 29 years, CityLink has hosted the Stuff-A-Bus food drive to help eliminate hunger in Peoria. With a long partnership with Kroger to collect enough food to stuff a classic CityLink bus, the donations collected during the annual food drive benefit the food pantry at the Peoria Friendship House. Since January of this year, the Peoria Friendship House has provided more than 73,000 meals to families who are dealing with hunger.

Donations may also be dropped off throughout the 2016 Stuff-A-Bus campaign, which will also feature various activities, offers, and discounts to be held in support of the food drive.

• Kroger stores will have pre-bagged food and cash coupons available for purchase to make giving even easier. The contents of the $3, $5, and $10 bags have been selected to provide a good balance of nutritional items.
• New partnerships with the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Peoria Chiefs have also been formed for this year’s Stuff-A-Bus food drive. The Peoria Riverfront Museum will be offering a
  $2 discount off general admission or admission to individuals who donate a non-perishable food item to Stuff-A-Bus (One donation is required per person).
• Dozer Park will be offering a ticket voucher good for a 2017 Peoria Chiefs game in April or May to individuals who donate a minimum of five or more non-perishable food items at Dozer Park for Stuff-A-Bus.

Stuff-A-Bus events

• Oct 29 and Oct 30: Stuff-A-Bus Nights at the Peoria Mustangs games at Owens Center. Fans can bring a donation of a non-perishable food item and receive a giveaway item courtesy of CityLink.
• Nov 2 and 9: Passengers can ride free on CityLink buses with the donation of a non-perishable food item. One donation is required per ride.
• Nov 4: Stuff-A-Bus Night at the Peoria Rivermen game against the Pensacola Ice Flyers.
• Nov 5 and 6: Stuff-A-Bus Nights at the Peoria Mustangs games at Owens Center. Fans can bring a donation of a non-perishable food item and receive a giveaway item courtesy of CityLink.
• Nov 16: The public can receive a free 2017 Peoria Historical Calendar in exchange for a donation of non-perishable food.
• Nov 18: Day of Stuffing will take place at the Kroger Store located at 801 W. Lake Ave.
• Nov 28: Stuff-A-Bus Night at PNC Winterfest.
• Nov. 29: Weigh-In Day Press Conference – the final weight of the food collected will be revealed at a press conference at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service at 10:00am.

Cumulus Radio, WYZZ Fox 43, WMBD CBS 31, Bounce Central Illinois, and CIPROUD.com are media partners in this food drive and will air announcements about the great need to collect enough groceries to keep the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service food pantry open all year long.

The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, located at 800 NE Madison, has been serving those in need on Peoria’s near north side and East Bluff area since 1951 by providing food, meals, clothing, children’s programs, educational programs, employment preparation, Latino outreach, and community support.

For further information on Friendship House programs call 309-671-5200 or visit our website at www.friendship.house. The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is proud to be a Heart of Illinois United Way Community Partner.

For the most up-to-date information on this year’s food drive, please “like” the Stuff-A-Bus Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stuffabuspeoria.

The Following Businesses/Organizations Are Serving as  Drop-Off Locations During the 2016 Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive

The Caterpillar Visitor Center
110 S.W. Washington Street, Peoria

CityLink
2105 N.E. Jefferson, Peoria

Dozer Park
730 S.W. Jefferson Ave., Peoria

Farmers Insurance —
Forsberg Agency
6832 N. Frostwood Pkwy., Peoria

Fix My Gadget
4732 N. University St., Peoria
809 East War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights

Kroger
9219 Lindbergh Dr., Peoria
801 W. Lake Ave., Peoria
3311 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria
2321 N. Wisconsin Ave., Peoria
3103 Harmon Highway, Peoria
201 S. Main St., East Peoria

Peoria Riverfront
222 S.W. Washington St., Peoria

West Peoria City Hall
2506 W. Rohmann Ave,
West Peoria

WMBD Studios
3131 N. University St, Peoria