THUNDER BAY – While it may not be coming down from the North Pole full of toys, the Santa Bus is being stuffed with even more important cargo.
This weekend, the annual Santa Bus is back and will be parked outside two local grocery stores. Now in its 24thyear, the annual food drive never seems to disappoint.
“Each year we try and do as much as we can for the community,” said Todd Little, vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 966. “Last year we raised just a little over $2,000 in cash donations and 8,000 pounds of food for the Thunder Bay Food Bank.”
On Saturday, the Santa Bus was parked outside No Frills on Edward Street and jolly ole Saint Nick was there to get people into the giving spirit.
“Hopefully we will bring in the same amount this year,” Little said. “The more the better. The community of Thunder Bay always seems to come out in droves. They are very generous this time of year.”
“They are happy to see us. Some people look forward to the bus every year and it is the time they donate to the food drive.”
Transit workers have been collecting food for the past week in the hopes of filling the bus. According to Little, more and more people are turning to food banks, especially during the holiday season, and the food brought in during the Santa Bus drive usually lasts until February.
“A lot of the people who use the food bank are the people we drive,” he said. “There is such a need for it. There are older people now that are accessing it, younger people. It just seems like it is on a steady increase.”
The Santa Bus will be parked at the Arthur Street Metro from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
