OCTA joins Second Harvest Food Bank to fill bus with food in O.C.

OCTA and Second Harvest Food Bank are teaming up to host a food donation drive, collecting food donations to ensure a brighter holiday season for needy families.

The public service is part of the holiday ridership campaign which also introduces the Jingle Pass, a special discounted bus pass for riders during the upcoming holiday season.

With the Jingle Pass, riders can take OCTA buses from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31. At $39.99, the pass provides a 50 percent discount from the regular fare.

“The Jingle Pass helps residents have a joyous holiday season by keeping more money in their pockets,” said OCTA Board Director and County Supervisor Janet Nguyen. “For 85 cents a day, residents can ride the bus an unlimited amount of times anywhere in the county to do their Christmas shopping, visit their families or attend holiday festivities.”

The food drive also encourages residents to give back to individuals who need it the most this holiday season.

“While OCTA is giving back to our community with the Jingle Pass, we encourage the public to help fill a bus with food so no one has to go hungry this season,” Nguyen said.

A limited number of passes are available for sale online at www.octa.net or by calling (714) 560-5932.

Joe Schoeningh, director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, reminds people that help is needed not just during the holiday season but year round as well. He points to the elderly as individuals that heavily depend on the food bank in the face of rising costs of living.

“As seniors age, they face rising costs in medications and rent,” Schoeningh said. “It’s a difficult choice for seniors when they have to decide whether to pay for rent or medications. Having the food supply from our food bank will help sustain them through the month.”

Another opportunity to drop off donations is happening at the Brea Mall until 7 p.m. tonight.

The OCTA team will be at numerous locations throughout the county to collect canned and packaged food items. Visit www.octa.net/jingle for details.