Annual Stuff The Bus Campaign Raises Food, Donations For Local Non-Profits

Washougal, WA — Organized by the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance (CWBA), the annual Stuff The Bus campaign is under way through December 3, and has become our area’s largest local food drive.

“It’s always met annually with enthusiasm from both Camas and Washougal residents,” said Tabitha Shaffer, CWBA co-founder. “We utilize the Camas & Washougal school districts to help achieve our annual goals and encourage students to help support the event through community outreach and participation. We raise an average of 50,000 pounds of food and our beneficiaries are; The Children’s Home Society, The C.A.R.O.L Program and the American Legion.” 

This year, with kids back in school Stuff The Bus is hoping it allows for greater participation.

“All money and food donations go directly toward our program,” said Shaffer. “The Children’s Home Society is the main beneficiary and they serve over 600 local families per month with the food you can help provide. Our hope is that Stuff the Bus gives them the resources they need to distribute food for hungry families as well as support the Backpack Program, which sends food home with children throughout the school year. Any student who is in need receives a Backpack full of food on Fridays to help them through the weekend. Our other beneficiaries provide over 200 local families with food for the holidays including Christmas dinner and additional food to supplement the holiday season.” 

Students and businesses have been collecting non-perishable food items, including local grocery stores. On Wednesday, November 23, the Washougal Safeway and Camas QFC will have volunteers collecting food and place them into large bins.

The campaign runs through December 3, which is the last day the public can make donations. On December 3, each high school will have a parade to each of the schools and pick up all the canned food donations.

“It’s good to have community come together,” said Shaffer. “It’s great to feel that community spirit again. If anybody has time to donate or if they just want to donate cash or food they can do so at all the schools until December 3, and also any iQ Credit Union branch here. I want to thank our sponsors this year, which are Dan Jones Conveyor, The Asivido Team, and Angie Tauialo and Sativa Huddleston of Columbia River Realty, Jayson Obermiller, and Tabitha Shaffer and Angie Cherry of HomeTown Lenders.”