103.9 The Bear teams up with the Center for the Homeless for 2023 Stuff-a-Bus

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - 103.9 The Bear joined a community effort under a single goal: filing a bus with food items needed to support the Center for the Homeless.

The 2023 Stuff-a-Bus event on Saturday, September 30, brought community members to Martin's on S.R. 23 and Ironwood to donate essential food items such as flour, cooking oil, sugar, beans and more. 

The partnership between 103.9 The Bear and South Bend's Center for the Homeless has been a 25-yearlong annual tradition.

"We're so grateful to have such a strong relationship with them," said Ashley Vandieren, the Director of Events and Marketing for Center for the Homeless. "Being able to get our mission out and to have the support of the community is so great." 

Warren Kluck, one half of the Jason Lee and Kluck show on Real Rock 103.9 The Bear, speaks on Stuff-a-Bus' importance as it fulfills 80 to 85 percent of Downtown South Bend's Center for the Homeless' needs by filling their kitchen for the year. 

"It's really good to do good when it doesn't really take that much effort," said Kluck. "It takes minutes--moments--just going through a Martin's."

Kluck listed some options community members could do to give back.

Community members can give a cash donation, which the center uses for perishable products throughout the year, drop off items they're not using at home or grab a "critical needs" list and shop inside Martin's. 

The Center for the Homeless is essential in providing assistance to more than 65,000 experiencing homelessness, but it's the community's contributions that have profound impact as well. 

"You can lay your head on your pillow and say 'I did good today!' and it really didn't take that much effort," said Kluck.