Bus Stuff, a community collaboration to collect nonperishable food and monetary donations for Community Harvest Food Bank, has collected a total of 1,278 pounds of food and $1,500. Compared to last year, Bus Stuff collections have increased by 47 percent.

“Community partnerships like Bus Stuff are important in the fight against hunger, not only to raise food, but to raise awareness,” Community Harvest President Carmen Griffith says. “It is so rewarding to help out our food-insecure neighbors while at the same time engaging the community in something fun and worthwhile.”

This year, Bus Stuff offered a scavenger hunt for participants; those who donated 10 items from a specified list of food were entered to win 2016-17 season tickets to the Komets. The winner is Larry Davis, an adjunct visual communications instructor at Ivy Tech Community College Northeast.

“I am a big sports guy and love to support our great local teams in any way I can,” Davis says. “I try to give anytime there is food drive, clothing drive, or volunteer event. My rule is, Give as much as you can, because you never know when you may need it.”

Davis is a graphic artist/illustrator/photographer for YourPromoPeople.com and JH Specialty, Inc. He is also a freelance artist.

Bus Stuff is a collaboration among Citilink, Community Harvest, Ivy Tech Northeast, IPFW, and the Komets. Of the outside community partners, Ivy Tech Northeast collected the most food for Bus Stuff, 547 pounds, up nearly 55 percent from last year.