More than 80,000 food donations collected in Stuff the Bus campaign

More than 82,000 meals were collected in this year’s Jack 94.5 Stuff the Bus campaign.

On Saturday, the crew from Jack 94.5 went live from all three of Regina’s Sherwood Co-op Food Stores from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., collecting donations of food and cash.

All of the proceeds collected from this year’s event will be used by the Regina Food Bank to purchase any essential items needed to complete its Christmas hampers and stock its shelves. Each hamper created has approximately $150 worth of food inside.

The food bank does not receive any federal or provincial funding and relies heavily on the community for help.

In August of this year, Regina Food Bank CEO John Bailey said the number of people using the food bank and how often it was used were trending in a significantly higher direction than in previous years.

During the holiday season, the food bank provides families with regular emergency hampers as well as more than 2,500 special holiday hampers for local families. In a news release sent by Jack 94.5, Bailey said this was a very special year when it came to the campaign.

“This was another fantastic year highlighting the power of food as a connector in our community,” he said. “Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who were able to donate food or funds to this event.

“An incredible shoutout to Sherwood Co-op for hosting this year’s Stuff the Bus at not one but all three locations in Regina, and of course, thank you to Jack 94.5 for putting on this event and giving folks in our city the opportunity to support their neighbours.”

This year, Jack’s third annual Stuff the Bus campaign collected a total of 82,310 meals.

Those wanting a hamper can sign up for one online at the food bank’s website.