County Connection’s Annual Food Drive
Begins December 5, 2011
Concord, Calif. – Now that the Thanksgiving
leftovers are put away, it’s time to take a moment and consider those with no
leftovers. In the spirit of giving and generosity, for two weeks in December
County Connection will ask employees and passengers to donate food for the Food
Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Beginning Monday, December 5th,
County Connection buses will become rolling collection points for passengers
wishing to donate food. The tradition, which began over twenty five years ago,
brings much needed food to our community each year.
“Now more than ever, the need for
nutritious food is in high demand throughout the region” said Amy Worth, County
Connection’s Board Chair. “We are so grateful to our passengers who always come
through to help those that have hit hard times.”
All County Connection buses will
have plastic milk crates placed near the front of the bus to hold donations.
When needed, road supervisors will meet buses on the road and empty crates that
are full to avoid overflow. The most needed items are protein sources like peanut
butter and canned meats, all canned goods, dried beans, rice, pastas, iron rich
cereal, tomato products, and 100% fruit juice. Food Bank officials have asked
that no glass containers be donated as they can easily break during
transportation and sorting.
“This economic downturn has been
longer and deeper than past recessions, and has caused more people to be out of
work and in need of help. We have seen a 46% increase from 2006-2010 in demand
for food,” said Renee Baptiste, spokesperson for the Food Bank. “The County
Connection and their riders are helping to fill a very important gap.”
The
County Connection provides fixed-route and ADA paratransit service throughout
central Contra Costa County. For information on bus routes and schedules, call
Customer Service at (925) 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org.
###