Every Monday during November and December, student
volunteers go door-to-door collecting food from residential areas in Logan as
part of the Utah State University food drive Stuff-a-Bus.
Stuff-a-Bus was founded in 1996 by the USU Parking and Bus
Transportation supervisor Alden Erikson. It started in response to the growing
need for canned food during the holiday season.
Today the club is managed by the USU service center. They
continue the goal of collecting thousands of pounds of food for the Cache Valley
Food Pantry as well as raising money for the Cache Valley Sub for Santa.
“Stuff-a-Bus is the largest food drive in Cache Valley,”
said service center president Jeremy Neff. “We make the biggest donations to
the food pantry each year.”
The service center attracts members from multiple
organizations on campus including those from sororities and fraternities, The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Associated Students of Utah
State University.
“It is a great opportunity to serve,” Neff said. “My goal is
just to get as many students involved as possible but I think so far we have
done a great job.”
Volunteer Mike Murray, a senior at USU, believes being a
part of Stuff-a-Bus is a great way to give back to the community. He enjoys
witnessing the generosity of Logan residents.
“There are some people that turn us away but I
think it is honestly because they can’t donate,” Murray said. “But it is a neat
experience to see people give the little they do have.”
Neff, who has been in charge of Stuff-of-Bus
for three years, said he has been surprised by some of the resident’s
donations.
“Once we found $150 with canned food on someone’s porch,”
Neff said. “People really do want to help out.”
While pleased with its continuing success, Neff admits some
days are better than others.
“Sometimes we get a ton of people and fill three buses other
times five buses,” Neff said. “Regardless I am always pleased with the
turnout.”
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