LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Make A Difference Day Stuff-A-Bus event just got a lot more exciting.

A challenge was issued by the Lake Transit Authority drivers to the members of the Lake County Office of Education's AmeriCorps Program to see who can collect the most non-perishable food items.

The event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Any rider who contributes at least one nonperishable food item can ride the bus for free, and the drivers will try to collect more food than the AmeriCorps Members, who will be standing in front of local supermarkets throughout the county.

They will be at Hardester's Market in Middletown and Cobb, Red and White in Clearlake Oaks, Riviera Foods in the Clear Lake Riviera, Bruno's Foods, Safeway and Grocery Outlet in Lakeport, and Safeway, Foods Etc, and Grocery Outlet in Clearlake from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lake Transit will park a bus at the Grocery Outlet in Lakeport, and the food will be stuffed on to try to fill the bus at 3 p.m.

All food donated will be distributed to senior centers, food banks and food cupboards in Lake County.

Make A Difference Day is a nationwide day of volunteering, sponsored by Newman's Own and the USA Weekend magazine.

The Lake County Hunger Task Force and AmeriCorps Members have participated annually since 2000 by holding a food drive for this event. This year, they are thrilled to be joined by Lake Transit Authority for this food drive. Please join in trying to stuff a bus!

For more information, please call 707-279-1269.