Barre, VT -  On Monday, Salvation Army volunteers began the daunting task of un-stuffing two 53 foot long Bellavance tractor trailers at the emergency food shelf on Keith Avenue in Barre.  The food collected by 107.1 Frank-fm, Froggy 100.9 and 105.7 The Beat during the 15th Annual Stuff A Truck Food and Funds Drive comes at a dire time for the Army who’s been running low on supplies since late September.

This year it only took 37.5 hours to fill a truck with canned goods and nonperishable food items.  Event organizers knowing that many donations were still coming moved a second truck into place on Friday evening about 6:30 and continued to accept donations while presenting a fireworks display, donated by Northstar Fireworks to celebrate 15 years of neighbors helping neighbors. The Second truck was full 21 hours later.  

The Stuff A Truck Volunteers take a group photo next to a stuffed tractor trailer following Saturdays closing ceremonies

The cargo collected at 802 Cars next to the Berlin mall weighed in at a never before seen, 26.7 tons and monetary donations are currently over $16,068.19 and are still coming in.  Salvation Army's Lieutenant Christopher Street says so far that the effort spearheaded by 1071 Frank-fm, Froggy 100.9 and 105.7 The Beat radio hosts TJ Michaels and Bruce Zeman and Hobbes is quite unique. “I’ve never seen anything like this in the Army before,  The support from the community is unbelievable,  It makes me proud to call myself a Vermonter and Serve The Central Vermont Area!”  

Frank-fm’s TJ Michaels says the canned food totals are the largest in Stuff-A-Trucks history.  “ As we head for our 16th Anniversary next year Stuff A Truck will have raised over $166,000.00 and over 227 tons of Food all for less fortunate Central Vermont Families with the Central Vermont Salvation Army Emergency Food Shelf!  It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors.

Froggy 100.9’s morning host Bruce Zehman is proud of this years event.   “Hobbes and I are just so proud to be a part of this event, it truly is remarkable how Stuff A Truck has become the way we transition into the holiday season in Central Vermont and it helps so many families that are struggling.”

Governor Elect, Phil Scott poses with Froggy 100.9 Morning Host Bruce Zeman and 107.1 Frank-fm Morning Host Tj Michaels at this year’s event

Stuff-A-Truck was presented this year with help from 802CARS.com, Safelight Auto Glass, Morrisville Lumber, Vermont Country Campers, Bellavance Trucking, Packard Fuels, Buffalo K&W Tire, Wendell’s Furniture, Mountain Power Sports, The Vermont Army National Guard,  and Local 22 & 44 TV.  Many other area local business  supported the effort.

For more information on Stuff-A-Truck, photos or audio call 802-476-4168, Email tjmichaels@greateasternradio.com or visit www.facebook.com/stuffatruck

For more information on The Salvation Army contact Lieutenant Christopher Street at 802-476-5301