The Stuff the Bus pre-Thanksgiving food drive returns to the Four Corners this November.
On one coordinated Saturday, buses in Farmington, Durango, and Cortez will be packed with groceries and contributions to help families share a holiday meal.
Presented by Hutton Broadcasting with live coverage from its family of local radio stations, the drive unites radio hosts, businesses, and volunteers to make it one of the Four Corner’s most visible hunger-relief efforts of the season.
What Is the Stuff the Bus Food Drive?
The Stuff the Bus campaign is a community food drive that fills entire buses with donations of nonperishable goods such as canned and boxed items, along with financial contributions.
Each busload supports local food banks and pantries that provide Thanksgiving baskets and meal assistance. Schools, businesses, and residents join together every November to fight hunger and help families in need gather at the table.
Event Details
Each of the three drives take place on the same day, but the hosts, sponsors, and beneficiaries differ by location. Below are the schedules for Durango, Cortez, and Farmington.
Durango
- Date & Time: November 15, 2025, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Walmart parking lot, 1155 S. Camino del Rio
Hosts & Sponsors: Radio Free Durango, 92.9 The Point, and Manna
Title Sponsor: Sky Ute Casino
Beneficiary: Manna
Cortez
- Date & Time: November 15, 2025, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Location: Safeway parking lot, 1580 E. Main St.
- Hosts: KRTZ – Real Local Radio and KVFC – News Talk Radio
- Title Sponsor: Ute Mountain Casino Hotel
- Beneficiary: Good Samaritan Food Pantry
- Additional Note: A Vitalant blood drive will also take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Farmington
- Date & Time: November 15, 2025, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Location: Albertsons parking lot, 4909 E. Main St.
- Hosts & Sponsors: KISZ Country 97.9 / 99.3 and Real Classic Rock 92.5 KRWN
- Partnering Sponsor: Northern Edge Casino
- Beneficiary: ECHO Food Bank
- Additional Note: Northern Edge Navajo Casino will accept food donations every Wednesday in November from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For ease and quick shopping, Albertsons in Farmington, will have pre-packaged bags ready for purchase available at check out. Also, the bus is generously provided by the Bus Barn and Farmington Municipal Schools.
How to Donate
There are several ways to contribute to the Stuff the Bus campaign. Participants can bring nonperishable items and donate money to help purchase fresh foods.
Bring Food Donations
Bring sealed, nonperishable foods such as:
- Canned vegetables, fruits, soups
- Boxed pasta, rice, macaroni & cheese
- Beans and lentils (dry or canned)
- Peanut butter, canned tuna, or other proteins
- Stuffing mix, gravy packets, boxed potatoes
- Oatmeal, cereal, pasta sauce
At each location, volunteers will be on hand to collect nonperishable donations and help load them onto the buses.
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations are also accepted, providing partner pantries with the flexibility to purchase fresh goods for holiday meals.
Drop-Off Options Before or After Event Day
You can donate on any Wednesday in November between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Northern Edge Navajo Casino in Farmington.
Who Benefits?
- Durango: Donations support Manna, which provides meals and outreach services in La Plata County.
- Cortez: The Good Samaritan Food Pantry will stock its shelves for families throughout Montezuma County.
- Farmington: Echo Food Bank will distribute donations to households across San Juan County.
Community Impact
Past Stuff the Bus drives have collected thousands of pounds of food and raised additional funds to keep local pantries stocked.
Each year, the buses filled in Farmington, Durango, and Cortez represent hundreds of families who will sit down to a hearty holiday meal thanks to community generosity.
How to Volunteer
Volunteers play a vital role in making Stuff the Bus successful. On the day of the drive, helpers are needed to greet donors, load buses, sort donations, and keep collection areas running smoothly. Behind the scenes, volunteers can also assist with weighing food, recording totals, and coordinating transportation to food banks.
Schools, churches, and workplaces are encouraged to host mini-drives in the weeks leading up to November 15, then bring their collected goods to the bus locations. These efforts often add hundreds of extra pounds of food to the final tally.
Community members can also support the event by spreading the word through social media or encouraging friends and neighbors to participate. Those interested in volunteering are invited to contact local coordinators in Farmington, Durango, or Cortez for details on shifts and sign-up options.
Ready to make a difference and align your brand with a worthy cause? Contact the team today to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how you can help us Stuff the Bus this November!
- Farmington: Tana McCall, 505-860-3858
- Cortez: Ally Orton, 970-560-4165 or Kelly Turner, 970-565-6565, ext 14
- Durango: Dustin Nolen, 505-215-1534
Sponsors and Partners
These drives rely on local partnerships. Title sponsors include Sky Ute Casino in Durango and Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Cortez, with Northern Edge Casino serving as a partnering sponsor in Farmington.
Hutton Broadcasting and its family of Four Corners radio stations help organize and promote the drives across the region, keeping the effort visible to the community. Grocery stores such as Walmart, Safeway, and Albertsons provide the main collection sites, while local radio stations sustain momentum on air.
Why Thanksgiving Food Drives Matter
As the holiday season approaches, food insecurity becomes especially visible. A table filled with a Thanksgiving meal is a tradition many enjoy, but for families facing financial hardship, even the basics can be difficult to afford.
The Stuff the Bus drives highlight how food brings comfort, connection, and dignity. By filling buses with donations, the Four Corners community helps ensure that every neighbor has the chance to share in the season’s spirit of togetherness.
FAQs
What food should I bring?
Nonperishables such as canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, rice, beans, peanut butter, and stuffing mix.
Can I give money instead of food?
Yes. Cash donations allow food banks to purchase fresh items like turkey, produce, and milk.
Where do my donations go?
Donations stay local: Manna in Durango, Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Cortez, and Echo Food Bank in Farmington.
Who organizes the event?
Stuff the Bus is coordinated by Hutton Broadcasting and supported by radio stations, businesses, and sponsors across the Four Corners.
Are there advance drop-off opportunities?
Yes, Northern Edge Navajo Casino in Farmington accepts food donations every Wednesday in November up until Thanksgiving.
Helping Families Across the Four Corners
The 2025 Stuff the Bus pre-Thanksgiving food drive will take place across Farmington, Durango, and Cortez on November 15. Each filled bus represents meals that will reach households who might otherwise go without during the holiday.
Join in by donating food, contributing funds, or volunteering so neighbors have what they need to gather at the table this Thanksgiving. Together, the community helps turn generosity into shared meals and ensures the season is about connection, not scarcity.
Contact your local representative to volunteer:
- Farmington: Tana McCall, 505-860-3858
- Cortez: Ally Orton, 970-560-4165 or Kelly Turner, 970-565-6565, ext 14
- Durango: Dustin Nolen, 505-215-1534
If you miss the event, Northern Edge Navajo Casino will accept food donations every Wednesday in November from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
