Fill the Bus food collection event happening this weekend

Speck’s Restaurant helped provide a donation to this weekend’s “Fill the Bus” food collection event happening in Amherstburg. Sarah Brush and Lynn Bellefleur are pictured here. Donations collected at Sobeys, Walmart, Mercato Fresh and Rob & Tina’s No Frills will be added to this donation. Proceeds assist Amherstburg Community Services, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission and Be the Light Outreach Ministry.

In a world where food insecurity is on the rise and many families face tough choices between bills and groceries, a powerful grassroots event is turning compassion into action in Amherstburg. 

The Fill the Bus food drive returns this weekend - June 28 and 29 - offering an inspiring example of how individuals can make a difference, one can of soup or one box of cereal at a time. 

It runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days at Sobeys, Walmart, Mercato Fresh and Rob & Tina’s No Frills.

The heart behind the help is Be the Light Outreach Ministry.

Founded during the harsh winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Be the Light Outreach Ministry began with a simple mission: don’t sit still in the face of suffering. After witnessing social media posts about cold, hungry individuals, a few determined souls took action—delivering food, warm clothing, and hope. 

Now, four years later, Be the Light continues to serve Windsor and Amherstburg with weekly hot meals downtown, food boxes for families in crisis, and unshakable love.

“Fill the Bus is our largest fundraiser of the year,” says Jasmine Mulder from Be the Light. “It allows us to prepare weekly meals for 80–150 people and deliver essential food boxes to 5–10 families each month. Without it, we simply couldn’t do what we do.”

Now a beloved annual event, Fill the Bus began as a bold idea—why not try to literally fill school buses with non-perishable food? What started as a small initiative in 2022 has grown into a massive community effort involving local businesses, volunteers, and organizations.

Every can, box, and dollar collected during the two-day drive supports three vital organizations: Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, and Be the Light Outreach Ministry. This event helps stock shelves during the summer—a time when donations often decline, but the need remains painfully high.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of locals and sponsors like Switzer-Carty, Encounter Church, Quesada Burritos & Tacos, and Naples Pizza, thousands of items were collected. This year, with their continued support, even more is hoped for.

In 2025, Families First Because We Care has generously donated the printing of the signs indicating the drop-off sites. CKBG is our media sponsor. We are also thankful to the River Town Times and CKRT for helping to spread the word. 

There is a free BBQ at No Frills from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. both days with hot dogs, chips, and drinks for donation. Amherstburg’s firefighters and police will appear with their vehicles 

The buses are supplied by Switzer-Carty, parked at Walmart, No Frills, and Sobeys for donation drop-offs. To donate via e-transfer, send to info@encounteraburg.ca with “Fill the Bus” in the memo. Donations of $20+ are eligible for a tax receipt (include name and address).

Most needed items are peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oatmeal packets, large soups, pasta, Sidekicks/Kraft Dinner, canned vegetables, pasta sauces, condiments, kids’ snacks, Gatorade, water, freezies, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, body wash, lotion, sunscreen, and chapstick. Gift cards for meat/perishables and laundry detergent are also welcome.

Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), established in 1973, helps feed over 80 people a month, many of them first-time visitors. 

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, founded in 1995, provides 70 hot meals daily and has seen a 29 per cent rise in food basket requests in 2025. 

Be the Light Outreach helps close the gap for those not reached by larger programs, especially during summer months when school-based meal support ends.

Volunteer your time to be at one of the buses June 28-29, or help sort donations or serve our community with participating organizations after the event.

Spread the word! Share on social media and invite others to join in!

In Amherstburg, every small act of giving lights the way for someone in need. This June, let’s fill the bus—and fill hearts—with hope.

For more information or to donate, e-mail info@encounteraburg.ca or be.the.light.outreach.ministry@gmail.com. 

People can also call 519-996-7744 (Be the Light – cell) or visit www.facebook.com/events/1395193831632240/1395193841632239/ 

Fill the Bus food collection event happening this weekend

By Laurie Hatton 

Special to the River Town Times