San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) in partnership with Escalon eTrans held its 24th Annual Stuff the Bus food drive and was successful in collecting nearly 18,000 pounds of food. This provided nearly 29,000 meals for families in need throughout San Joaquin County, including Escalon, Farmington and Collegeville.

Community members donated frozen turkeys, canned and non-perishable food items, as well as funds to make the event a success to benefit the Stockton Emergency Food Bank and the Escalon C.A.R.E. Center. The drive was hosted shortly before Thanksgiving as a way to help provide meals to those in need and help stock the food pantry shelves for the coming winter months.

KAT Country (KATM, 103.3) and La Tricolor (KMIX, 100.9) served as the main media partner for this year’s food drive. The radio stations helped promote the event, provided live broadcasting, and encouraged their listeners to donate items.

The food drive was also made possible with the support of other local organizations, including: Greater Yosemite Council, Boy Scouts of America; Girls Scouts, Heart of Central California; Emergency Food Bank of Stockton; Escalon C.A.R.E.; Mar-Val Food Stores; UOP Men’s Tennis Team volunteers; Cost Plus/World Market for donating; LUSD Teacher Anne Swehla Garcia; and all Stuff the Bus staff and volunteers.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) is the regional transit provider for San Joaquin County. RTD’s mission is to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system for the region. For more information visit sjRTD.com, follow RTD on Facebook and Twitter, or call (209) 943-1111.