First-ever mobile fresh food drive more than doubles ambitious goal, collecting over 11 thousand pounds of food to benefit DC Central Kitchen.
By Tyler Sullivan
Photo Courtesy of Stuff the Bus.
Free mobile-app connection to over 150 DC restaurants and bars, Venga, produced the first-ever mobile fresh food drive last month—and more than doubled their goals.
The campaign, entitled Stuff the Bus, ended up delivering over 11,500 pounds of food to DC Central Kitchen. The process involved literally stuffing their bus, a vintage 1975 Ford school bus that made stops throughout the region picking up perishable and non-perishable items.
The collection also involved a virtual fresh food market where people were able to make purchases for the Kitchen, as well as a heaping donation of over 3,000 pounds of food from lead sponsor, Monster Government Solutions.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support … for Stuff the Bus and DC Central Kitchen,” says Winston Lord, Venga co-founder and president. “We had a resounding YES from those we asked to support the drive…”
Donated food from the campaign went to the production of fresh, healthy, and nutritious meals at DC Central Kitchen, for the district’s residents in need. Just one step in a larger initiative to promote healthier living for DC’s public, Venga anticipates the work they will do in the next year, as well as next year’s Stuff the Bus round two.
DC Central Kitchen’s Director of Development, Brian MacNair, says: “We are excited to partner with organizations like Venga, Monster Government Solutions, FRESHFARM Markets, and the many chefs, restaurants, and national and local influencers that joined the campaign. These organizations understand that DC Central Kitchen is not just about food, but that our focus is on using healthy, nutritious product in our meals, while empowering men and women with jobs in the food service industry.
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The two-week project went on from September 17th through 30th and was an overwhelming success. Wish you could help? You’re not too late. Monetary donations can still be made on the Stuff the Bus website.
