December 17, 2007 WORCESTER, MA. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) and Local 22 of the Amalgamated Transit Union came together last week in a sign of unity and thanks to the city of Worcester in the organizations’ latest venture, “Fill Up the Bus,” a food drive held on Dec. 10 – Dec. 12. The drive benefited the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB), which services a network of 200 partner agencies in 60 cities and towns in Central Massachusetts.

“We are grateful to the WRTA for their support during this season of giving,” said WCFB Executive Director Jean McMurray. 

“This was a terrific success,” said RTA Transit Services, Inc. General Manager John Carney. “We collected 815 pounds of food. We want to thank the people of Worcester, all our drivers, retirees and union members, as well as the surrounding communities for their support.”

Over 30 volunteers from the WRTA and Local 22 volunteered to work two-hour shifts at City Hall in Worcester where there was a 20-passenger van stationed to accept food donations.

Food was also accepted on all of the WRTA's vehicles.

“I think it went well with the time we had to advertise the food drive,” said Donna Novelli, of RTA Transit Services, Inc. “The passengers didn’t understand what we were doing at first, however, the activity and collection picked up on Wednesday (last day the van was at City Hall). We also collected a good amount of food at our Safety Banquet and Awards luncheon held on Dec. 13.”