Bus Riders Can Trade Food for Fare

City transit workers will accept canned or boxed food items as bus fare Tuesday as part of a collection drive to feed the area’s needy.

This is the first such program ever hosted by Santa Clarita Transit, the city’s bus system, and may become a regular event, said Jim Moore, marketing specialist for the transit program.

“We expect to carry about 3,800 people” on Santa Clarita buses Tuesday, who each may have their fare waived by making a donation, Moore said. One-way fare is 75 cents for adults and 50 cents for youths, ages 5 to 17.

All items collected will go to a local organization called the Food Pantry.

The drive also is aimed at increasing awareness about the program, which serves an estimated 4,500 needy people per month. About half of those who receive the items are children.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t even know we’re here,” said Carmen Mathewson, executive director of the Food Pantry.

More than 80,000 rides were given on city buses during November, according to Santa Clarita Transit. No goal has been established for the food drive, but organizers hope at least half of those who ride city buses Tuesday will bring non-perishable items for the collection.

Organizers said they are looking for all types of food. The goal of the Food Pantry is to feed everyone in need in the Santa Clarita Valley, Mathewson said.

“They really provide a tremendous number of meals to people,” Moore said.

More information about the Food Pantry is available by calling 255-9078.