Capital Metro has raised the stakes for the third annual Stuff the Bus food drive Dec. 12–14 by challenging Austinites to donate enough items to fill two of its buses.

The city's public transit agency has partnered with Whole Foods Market to encourage residents to donate nonperishable food items and provide up to 30,000 meals for the hungry. The food drive benefits the Capital Area Food Bank.

"This year we're getting very, very ambitious," Capital Metro President and CEO Linda Watson said. "In the past we've raised enough nonperishable food items for 15,000 meals. This year our goal is for 30,000 meals. It's an incredible way for you to give back to the people in this community who need it the most."

CAFB President and CEO Hank Perret said he is confident Austin residents will meet the goal of providing 30,000 meals. Having organizations such as Capital Metro help support the community is huge, he said.

"It's collaborations like that that fuel what we do and keep us going," he said. "I can't thank you all for this initiative and for what it brings to us and the people we serve. This time of year we turn hungry holidays into happy holidays."

Residents may purchase prepackaged food bags or nonperishable food items at Whole Foods' five Austin stores, including the Arbor Trails store, 4301 W. William Cannon Drive, Bldg. B, Ste. 800; Bee Cave store, 12601 Hill Country Blvd.; and Gateway store, 9607 Research Blvd.

A Capital Metro bus will be parked at the downtown flagship store, 525 N. Lamar Blvd., and The Domain, 11920 Domain Drive, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. with volunteers accepting food items.

"I really want to thank our partners at Capital Metro for expanding their partnership to our North Austin community," said Lindsay Mucha, team leader for the Whole Foods Domain store.

Residents may also donate nonperishable items from their homes. Items that are most needed include peanut butter, canned chicken breast or tuna, canned low-sodium vegetables, canned fruit, dry pinto beans, brown rice, nonfat dry milk powder and 100 percent whole grain cereal.

For more information visit www.capmetro.org/stuffthebus.