Calgary Co-op and Calgary Transit's 17th Annual "Stuff a Bus" a Record Year!

CALGARY , Dec. 3 /CNW/ - With the current economic conditions, food banks have seen a drastic increase in the amount of people who have to rely on their services. Acknowledging the need to keep their shelves full, Calgary Co-op and Calgary Transit held their 17th Annual Stuff a Bus food drive in support of the Calgary Food Bank. On November 28 , Calgary Transit buses were parked outside Calgary Co-op food centres to stuff the bus full of donations.

We are proud to announce that this year's Stuff a Bus food drive raised over $162,000 in food and cash donations - a record for our event. "In the 17 years that Calgary Co-op and Calgary Transit have been holding our Stuff a Bus event, we have never seen such an outstanding total in donations collected," says Sarah Boutron, manager of communications for Calgary Co-op. "Because of the generosity of Calgary and area residents, the Food Bank will be able to supply those in need with the food they require through the holiday season." XL 103 FM hopped on board for the second year in a row, broadcasting live from a different Calgary Co-op location in a Calgary Transit bus during the week leading up to the Saturday event.

Calgary Transit drivers and food bank volunteers were on hand at all Calgary Co-op food centres on Saturday, November 28 to help stuff the buses and collect monetary donations. People were encouraged to donate what they could, including food and cash. "The holiday season can be particularly hard for families in need," comments Heidi Lambie , Food Development Co-ordinator for the Calgary Food Bank. "The donations collected from Stuff a Bus will allow us to help more families during these hard months, especially considering Food Bank usage is up a drastic 40% this year." Calgary Co-op is proud to partner with Calgary Transit, and this year, XL 103 FM, to bring cheer to families in need this holiday season.

Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with annual sales of $1 billion , over 435,000 member-owners and 4,000 employees. Calgary Co-op operates 22 retail food centres, 22 pharmacies, 27 gas bars and seven travel agencies in Calgary , Airdrie, Okotoks and Strathmore, Alberta. Calgary Co-op also owns and operates Calgary Co-op Home Health Care Limited in Calgary , and Calgary Co-op Wines & Spirits Limited with 17 locations in Calgary and surrounding communities.

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For further information: Sarah Boutron, Manager, Communications, Calgary Co-operative Association Limited, Phone: [phone], ext. 6105, Cell: [phone]; Heidi Lambie, Development Co-ordinator - Food Industry, Calgary Food Bank, Phone: [phone]; Ron Collins, Communications Coordinator, Calgary Transit, Phone: [phone]