2023 Stuff A Bus effort restocks The Salvation Army of Michigan City’s food pantry for the fall season. Donation results include 4,500 pounds of donated non-perishable food/hygiene items, 381 meat vouchers (valued at $5 each), and $1300 in cash donations.
Saturday’s STUFF A BUS event went well, according to Dorene Martinson, Marketing Director for First Trust Credit Union. First Trust has the lead role of organizing this event every year, and this year’s event will restock the shelves of The Salvation Army of Michigan City’s food pantry. “I’m pleased with the results we achieved this year,” Martinson said. “Even with the hike in grocery prices affecting everyone, the community and local businesses still came out to donate.” The Salvation Army, Al’s Supermarkets, Michigan City Area School Corporation, WEFM Radio, WIMS Radio, and First Trust Credit Union once again joined forces to hold the annual STUFF-A-BUS food drive on Saturday, September 23rd to collect food/hygiene items and meat vouchers to fill the food pantry shelves. This year’s efforts marked the 20th year of the community coming together to help those in need. A big thanks goes out to the community once again for working together to make this a successful event for The Salvation Army. Major Becky Simmons of The Salvation Army of Michigan City stated, “We greatly appreciate the support the Michigan City Community gives to The Salvation Army as we strive to meet the food-insecurity needs of so many in Michigan City, and ultimately provide programs to move these families to self-sufficiency.”
Live radio remotes with WEFM 95.9 FM and WIMS AM 1420/95.1FM.106.7FM Valparaiso added to the overall excitement of the day as groceries were loaded into a school bus at each Al’s location. Buses were provided by the Michigan City Area Schools. Business including Current Electric and First Trust Credit Union rose to the occasion with generous monetary donations. Area businesses including GAF sent a crew to help pack bags prior to the event, along with Marquette High School National Honor Society students. Michigan City High School JROTC once again assisted with the unloading of the buses into the pantry at The Salvation Army at the conclusion of the event. Martinson stated, “First Trust has been involved with this event from the start, and it’s amazing each year to see our community make it a priority to do their part. Efforts like these exemplify ‘People Helping People’ at its finest, which is a core value of credit unions.” Jessica O’Brien, Development Director for the Salvation Army, shared the next events coming for The Salvation Army of Michigan City include Stuff A Sleigh on Saturday, December 2nd at both Al’s Supermarkets, and the kickoff for the bell-ringing season during the holidays is coming in November. If you are interested in volunteering for either event, or if you are a family in need and would benefit from the assistance available from The Salvation Army, you can call (219) 874-6885, or e-mail Majors Dale or Becky Simmons, head Administrators/Pastors, at: Dale.Simmons@usc.salvationarmy.org or Rebecca. Simmons@usc.salvationarmy.org