GREENFIELD — Donations are sought to help fill the Belly Bus on Friday.
Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Franklin County Hunger Task Force is holding the 15th annual Fill the Belly Bus Community Food Drive.
Two buses, donated by the Franklin Regional Transit Authority and F. M. Kuzmeskus Inc., will be stopping at sites across the county to collect donations before gathering on the Greenfield Common from 3 to 5 p.m. Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, will help kick off the festivities at 3:30 p.m.
The location schedule for food donations on Friday is as follows:
■Stop & Shop in Greenfield from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
■Big Y in Greenfield from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
■Food City in Turners Falls from 9 a.m. to noon
■Foster’s Supermarket in Greenfield from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Franklin County Hunger Task Force Co-Chairs Justin Costa and Mary McClintock are seeking more groups to hold food and funds drives.
“It’s up to all of us to put the ‘community’ in this Community Food Drive,” McClintock said in a press release. “The more stores, restaurants, offices, places of worship and groups that hold food and funds drives, the better we are able to make sure that all of our neighbors have the food they need. We encourage everyone to join us.”
Costa said last year the food drive collected 6,000 pounds of food and $4,000.
He said donations of non-perishables, health and beauty supplies and monetary donations will help the programs receiving donations during a time when their use is increased.
“This food drive started because the (Center for Self-Reliance) food pantry and others noticed they were busy in August,” Costa said. “This was because of the end of summer youth meals programs and being before the start of the new school year, so this food drive helps keep these places stocked for at least the month of August.”
All donations will be shared between four local food pantries and meal programs: the Community Action’s Center for Self-Reliance food pantry, the Franklin County Community Meals Program, the Stone Soup Café and the Franklin Area Survival Center.
Over the last 14 years, the food drive has collected more than 25 tons of food. Franklin County Community Meals Program Executive Director Andrea Leibsen said she is excited for another year.
“The Franklin County Community Meals Program is always happy to participate in the Belly Bus,” Leibsen said in a press release. “Our mission is to work with the community to alleviate hunger and the Belly Bus helps us do exactly that. Thanks to all who assist us in nourishing our neighbors in need.”
Cash donations are also welcome, as each dollar collected can help programs access up to five pounds of food through regional partnerships. Donations can be made online at communityaction.us or checks can be made out to “Community Action Pioneer Valley” with “Belly Bus” in the memo line. Mail to Belly Bus Food Drive, Community Action, 393 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Many participating businesses also have donation jars at the register.
Reach Melina Bourdeau at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbourdeau@recorder.com.