Ride On Partners with Manna on Food Drive (VIDEOS)
Ride On passengers are being asked to donate food in exchange for a free fare on one of their buses.
“Give and Ride” runs from now through April 29, an annual drive to benefit the Manna Food Center. In exchange for a nonperishable food item, Ride On commuters can get a free ride on the bus.
Here’s Jackie DeCarlo, Manna’s executive director, describing how the Ride On donation drive will help the food bank.
Ride On Transit Services Division Chief Dan Hibbert describes why the transit agency is excited to be part of the food drive.
Manna serves roughly 35,000 people each year, DeCarlo said. And on Fridays in 60 Montgomery County schools, the organization sends children home with food for the weekend.
She said Ride On and Manna have been working together for 30 years and have collected a half-million pounds of food. This year’s drive could add another 5,000 to 10,000 pounds, she said.
Food collection bags will be placed near the fare boxes on all Ride On buses.
Requested non-perishable food items include canned fruit or vegetables, canned chicken, tuna or salmon, canned or dried beans, nut butters, roasted nuts, whole grain rice or pasta, oatmeal, shelf-stable milk boxes and granola/cereal bars.
Additionally, healthy food for children, disposable diapers, formula, baby or toddler food and juice are desired.
In addition to the buses, Manna will receive donations at its warehouse at 9311 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg.
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