November 6, 2019
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is partnering again with Ocean State Job Lot and iHeartMedia for their annual Fill-A-Bus Food Drive to benefit We Share Hope and other food pantries in the state. The public is invited to help fill RIPTA buses by donating nonperishable food items such as canned goods and boxed cereal. Ocean State Job Lot is known for its work to combat hunger and iHeartMedia is represented locally by radio 94HJY, B101, Coast 93.3 and News Radio 920.
In addition to supporting We Share Hope, this year’s drive will also benefit: Be the Change, Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need (RICAN), Operation Stand Down RI, and the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale. Donations will be accepted at the following Job Lot locations on Friday and Saturday. The site locations, collection dates, and times are:
FILL-A-BUS FOOD DRIVE LOCATIONS
Friday, November 15: 6AM to 9PM
Saturday, November 16: 8AM to 3PM
148 Atwood Avenue, Cranston, RI
1173 Tiogue Avenue, Coventry, RI
5957 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI
“We are proud to be part of this community event,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “It allows us to help people and families in need during the holiday season. Being a good community partner is important to RIPTA, and we are thankful for the opportunity to team up with generous organizations such as Ocean State Job Lot and iHeartMedia.”
David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Charitable Foundation, said,“We are fortunate to once again partner with iHeartMedia and RIPTA on this fantastic program to fill busses with non-perishable food. Food insecurity is one of our area’s biggest challenges, so this year we have expanded our partner organizations to include many more food pantries and centers across Rhode Island.”
“Our team is always amazed by the incredible generosity of Southern New Englanders who donate busloads of food for our neighbors in need,” said Rhonda Lapham, Market President, iHeartMedia. “We hope that all of our listeners will visit one of our broadcast locations during the drive and help us give back to this amazing community.”
At last year’s food drive, RIPTA and its partners collected 8,292 pounds of food (nearly 4 tons). Also, every dollar donated enables the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to acquire 3 pounds of healthy food.