MID-HUDSON – Catholic Charities Community Services in Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties were the grateful beneficiaries of iHeartMedia’s annual Summer Stuff the Bus Food Drive for the second summer in a row. More than 8,600 pounds of non-perishable food items, the equivalent of 7,200 meals, were donated by shoppers at five mid-Hudson area Stop & Shop store locations over a weekend this summer.
The donations were collected at stores by iHeartMedia radio personalities and volunteers throughout the weekend and loaded into full-size school buses provided for the event courtesy of Gallagher Bus Service Corporation/Leprechaun Lines in New Windsor, who also donated the bus drivers’ time and services for the two day food drive. Additional event sponsors included Claudio Cares Foundation, Foam & Wash Car Wash, and People’s United Bank.
“Food pantries experience a spike in need when school lets out in June – a time when pantry supplies tend to be lowest,” said Chuck Benfer, iHeartMedia Market President. “In the summer, families need to provide meals for students who typically receive free or subsidized breakfast and lunch during the school year. This can put a real strain on families that are struggling to put food on the table. The summer Stuff the Bus event helps restock pantry shelves to meet that increased summer demand.”
Once stuffed, the buses are driven to a central location where they are unloaded by Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers who sort, count, and repack the food items for distribution to food pantries. The 8,600 lbs. of donated goods was comprised of nearly 7,500 items, with donations of pasta and breakfast cereal topping the list.
“Working with Catholic Charities, we are able to efficiently distribute the donations to the food pantries, and in turn, families in need. We appreciate the support from all of those who helped make iHeartMedia’s summer Stuff the Bus event a success,” said Benfer. “Together we helped fight hunger for the youngest in need in the mid-Hudson region.”
iHeartMedia will be hosting a Fall Stuff the Bus Food Drive at participating Stop & Shop locations the weekend of November 19 and 20. Locations, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities will be announced later this year. Donations will again benefit the food pantries and programs of Catholic Charities Community Services in Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties.
Those in need of assistance from a food pantry should contact Catholic Charities for additional information.
![](https://hudsonvalleypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FDR-Web.jpg")
![](https://hudsonvalleypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Walden_Savings_Bank1.gif")
