Trade food for fare today and Friday on PRIDE

Bus riders in Carson City and Reno can ride for a box or can of food for each one-way trip today and Friday.

The Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission is sponsoring a "Food for Fare" drive to help feed less fortunate families this holiday season. It's the first year PRIDE, a service that runs from Douglas County through Carson City to Reno, will participate.

"We'd like them to try the PRIDE service and at the same time help out the community," spokesman Jim McGrath said.

Riders last year donated more than 5,800 pounds of nonperishable food items. Riders are encouraged to drop off items - from one box of macaroni to a bag of groceries - as they board the bus.

Officials are asking for people to donate "whatever they can afford," McGrath said.

Food donated today will be given to the Northern Nevada Food Bank and food dropped off Friday will be donated to the Salvation Army of Northern Nevada.

For the first time, every local transit service will participate, including Citifare, CitiLift, PRIDE and Sierra Spirit, McGrath said. People not riding the bus but who still want to donate items should call 348-RIDE to find a location.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1217.