Residents Invited to Participate in "Give and Ride" April 15 to 21 and Help Provide Food to Families in Need

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Ride On bus passengers can help families in need and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during our 31st annual “Give and Ride” food drive. Ride On will collect donations from Sunday, April 15 through Saturday, April 21.

Food collection bags will be placed near the fare boxes on all Ride On buses. In addition to non-perishable foods, healthy food or juice items for children, toddlers and babies are requested, along with disposable diapers. View a list of the most desirable foods online. Donated items must be in unbreakable containers.

Food collected through the drive goes to the Manna Food Center, which provides food to thousands of families in need each month. Manna continues to see a steady increase in the number of families needing assistance. Several years ago, the drive was shifted to the spring to help Manna stock its shelves at a time when their food supplies run low.

Manna Food Center will use appropriate food items for their “Smart Sack” program of weekend food for 2,800 elementary school students in need.

Even if you don’t use Ride On, you can still donate items. Give your donations to any Ride On bus operator or drop off donations directly to Manna Foods, 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

For information about Ride On, call 311 or TDD/TTY 301-251-4850, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or visit the Division of Transit Services’ website.

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Release ID: 18-500
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-6533