Peoria CityLink Starts 39th Annual Stuff-A-Bus Drive
The annual community food drive aims to collect 15 tons of non-perishable goods for the Peoria Friendship House.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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CityLink and local Kroger stores have launched the 39th annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive in Peoria. This year, the initiative aims to collect 15 tons of non-perishable food to support the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.
Why it matters
The program provides essential supplies to local food pantries for families in need throughout the region. By mobilizing community resources, the campaign seeks to exceed the 14 tons of food collected during last year's event.
The annual food drive targets a total of 15 tons of non-perishable items, surpassing the 14 tons raised during the previous year. This marks the 39th iteration of the long-standing community collaboration.
The players
CityLink
CityLink is the public transportation provider that collaborates with area businesses to manage the logistics of the annual Stuff-A-Bus food collection program.
Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service
The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is a local non-profit organization that provides social services and serves as the recipient for the food donations.
Kroger
Kroger is a national grocery retailer that provides store locations and donation bins for the collection of non-perishable goods during the drive.
The details
Shoppers can support the cause by purchasing non-perishable food items and placing them in designated donation bins located at the front of participating Kroger stores. The kickoff event at the Kroger on 9219 N. Lindbergh Dr. featured performances by the Peoria Manual Drum Line and the Royal Family 309 Dance Studio.
Timeline
The 39th annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive kicked off on October 15, 2026.
Market Landscape
This collaborative effort reflects a broader trend of regional retailers partnering with local transit authorities to streamline community-based charitable logistics. The program follows the established pattern of corporate-community philanthropic drives in the Midwest.
Shoppers at area Kroger stores can participate in the drive while doing their regular grocery shopping by placing donations in the front-of-store bins. These contributions directly support the inventory levels at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.
The takeaway
Participating in local food drives offers a direct way to support neighborhood families struggling with food insecurity. Residents can contribute by donating non-perishable goods during their standard shopping trips at participating stores.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address food insecurity on our Peoria Philanthropy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WMBD 31 Peoria.
Live Poll
Do you believe annual food drives are an effective way to address food insecurity in your community?
