Bloomington Transit Celebrates 20 Years of Stuff-A-Bus

Bloomington- College students and residents of Bloomington are used to stuffing the bus full to get to the next stop. Now, Bloomington Transit is encouraging residents to stuff a bus full of toys and clothes for children and families in need.

Stuff-A-Bus is an event that Bloomington Transit holds every year before the holidays. The goal is to literally stuff a Bloomington Transit bus full of new unwrapped toys, children’s coats, hats, and mittens.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Stuff-A-Bus, Bloomington Transit is partnering with radio stations Hoosier Country 105.1 and B97 to help make the holidays a little merrier for local children and families in need.

“It has grown so much just over the 14 years I have been here,” said Brend Underwood, Human Resources and Marketing Administrator at Bloomington Transit.

The festively decorated Stuff-A-Bus will visit a number of shopping centers and retail locations throughout Bloomington until December 15.

The donations will be distributed to families in the Monroe County area that have requested assistance through the Salvation Army.

“We have over 400 families and 900 kids we are trying to serve this year,” said Underwood.

Last year, Stuff-A-Bus collected over 5,200 items. This year, they are hoping to surpass that number.

“Hopefully we can get that same amount and if we do we will be able to help additional families,” Underwood said.

If you wish to make a donation to Stuff-A-Bus, you can drop off your items at the bus during the days and locations listed below.

Underwood said the best part of the program is seeing the community come together to help one another.

“That’s the thing I love about it,” said Underwood. “That is helping people right here that need assistance.”

STUFF-A-BUS SCHEDULE

Dec. 4 Petsmart 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 5 Target/College Mall 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 6 Wonderlab 9 AM – 5 PM

AMVETS Post 2000 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Dec. 7 Sam’s Club 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 8 Kohl’s 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 11 Lighthouse Christian Academy 10 AM – 5 PM

Dec. 12 TJ Maxx 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 13 Chandler’s Funeral Home 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 14 Target/College Mall 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 15 Rural King 10 AM – 7 PM

Dec. 17 Deliver to Salvation Army