A. Lee Graham Reporter Helping fight hunger is only a bus ride away for those participating in the Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s “Ride for a Can Day.” By donating a can of food, bus riders can enjoy free passage on Thursday August 29 when the authority, or The T, conducts the fundraiser to help Tarrant Area Food Bank rebuild dwindling summer supplies of food. “The T’s Ride for a Can Day comes at a great time of year as we gear up for the fall-holiday food drive season,” said Bo Soderbergh, executive director of Tarrant Area Food Bank, commenting in a news release. “The amount of food we are distributing monthly continues to increase. In addition, we send our mobile pantry to new locations and some 300 to 500 families come for food to supplement what little they can afford at the grocery store,” Soderbergh said. One can or box of food may be redeemed for a single, one-way bus ride. Two food items will earn riders a free local day pass good for unlimited rides that day on any of The T’s regular or express buses in Fort Worth or Richland Hills. The Ride for a Can program is not valid for Mobility Impaired Services (MITS) or Trinity Railway Express (TRE) service. Cans may not be redeemed on the train, and local day passes do not cover TRE, but only The T’s bus service. Last year, The T’s riders donated 3,700 pounds of food in exchange for free bus rides, according to T President Dick Ruddell. “We appreciate the help of our riders and our employees, who also donated food, for their support to help the Tarrant Area Food Bank meet the needs for food in our community,” Ruddell said. More information is available by calling 817-215-8600 or visiting www.the-t.com. lgraham@bizpress.net
