The City of Escalon through eTrans will conduct a “Stuff This Bus” food drive on Saturday, Nov.17 and Sunday, Nov. 18. The food donated to eTrans will benefit the Escalon C.A.R.E. Center to help those in need for this holiday season. This is the eighth annual event, as this event began in November 2010 in partnership with Big Boy Market and Escalon C.A.R.E. In November 2011, the City also began partnering with San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) as part of their larger event in Stockton.

This year, the event has been relocated to MarVal’s Main Street Market, at 1900 McHenry Ave., in Escalon. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18; eTrans will have a bus parked in front of the store during these hours.

Residents are encouraged to help out Escalon C.A.R.E. by donating perishable and non-perishable food inside the bus. KWIN will participate on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Those purchasing food items from MarVal to donate for the Stuff This Bus effort will receive a 10 percent discount. The site will also accept new coat donations as well as food items.

Escalon C.A.R.E. provides food to 100 households a week through its Weekly Emergency Supplemental Food Program on the first, second, fourth and (when applicable) fifth Wednesday of each month from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The C.A.R.E. program is open for the residents of Escalon and Farmington who need food and whose income meets the Federal poverty level (Self-reporting of income is required). A bag of food is provided free, one for each household.

For information on eTrans, call (209) 541-6645 or visit www.cityofescalon.org

For information on Escalon C.A.R.E., call (209) 838-3831 or visit www.escalonpres.org/care-food-bank/.