Rotary Stuff the Bus Event

Posted by Karen Chasse 
on Nov 16, 2015
 
ROTARY CLUBS DONATE ALMOST 19,000 POUNDS OF FOOD
AND OVER $10,000 TOWARDS ENDING HUNGER
 
YORK & CUMBERLAND COUNTY, ME – The Rotary Clubs of Biddeford Saco and Saco Bay spent Saturday, November 14 inviting the public to join them in collecting food at their “Stuff the Bus” event at Market Basket in Biddeford, Hannaford in Biddeford and Saco and Shop ‘n Save in Old Orchard Beach. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Rotary Clubs were able to donate an equivalent of 18,725.25 pounds of food directly to the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach food pantries and Bon Appetit food program. Exactly 3,205 pounds of food was collected and $3,104.05 in cash which equates to 15,520.25 pounds of food.  
 
“This event would not have been a success without the communities’ support and the many Rotarians who coordinated the effort,” stated Biddeford Saco Rotary Club President Bill Kany. “We are grateful for the Interact students, Saco Explorer Club, Shuttle Bus-Zoom staff, York County Federal Credit Union staff, the area grocery stores and Volk Packaging for assisting in making this event possible. Upon delivery that evening, the food pantries were extremely impressed and thankful.”
 
In addition to this food drive to end hunger and food insecurity in Maine, six other Rotary Clubs with over 225 Rotarians throughout York and Cumberland County were also hard at work. The Scarborough Rotary Club collected food leading up the “Stuff the Bus” event and delivered it that day. In addition they raised another $500 for Thanksgiving meals for Project Grace in their community. The Westbrook/Gorham and Falmouth Rotary Clubs are working with My Place Teen Center to cook, provide food and mentor needy teens after school, as well as received a $3,500 matching grant from the Rotary District to buy fresh produce. The Falmouth Rotary Club is also hosting a Thanksgiving Raffle with $1,500 proceeds going to their local food pantry. The Sebago Lakes Rotary Club participated in OctoberFest at Camp Hinds and raised $1,500 and collected food for local pantries.
 
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs.  Their main objective is service – in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world.  Rotarians develop community projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy and violence.  They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers and other professionals, and vocational and career development.  To learn more about Rotary, visit www.biddeford-sacorotary.org
 
 
PHOTO CAPTION: Biddeford Saco Rotary Club President Bill Kany (center) and the Saco Explorers Club finish filling the Shuttle Bus with donated food to disburse to the local food pantries.