“Tis the season to be giving, and Capital Metro is giving back to communities throughout Central Texas, and also active-duty military and veterans, in several significant ways this year.
Capital Metro employees and one of the agency’s bus contractors, McDonald/Travis Transit, answered the call recently by participating in the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Nearly 400 gently-used cell phones were collected in November, which were donated to the organization. Cell Phones for Soldiers uses the money it receives from recycling phones to purchase calling cards for active-duty military personnel and veterans. Capital Metro’s donation translated into 9,000 talk-time minutes participants can use.
The agency is once again partnering with Whole Foods Market, as well, on the third-annual Stuff the Bus food drive benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Healthy, non-perishable food items will be collected from Dec. 12-14 at all area Whole Foods Markets, with the goal of stuffing two full-size buses with enough food to provide 30,000 meals to those struggling with hunger.
Capital Metro employees and contractors are also donating toys to area children in need through their annual Giving Tree program, which allows employees to purchase toys to match hoped-for gifts on children’s wish lists. In addition, staff will help deliver meals to low-income families and children through its participation in Operation Blue Santa, the non-profit program coordinated annually by the Austin Police Department.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to see so many of our staff and contractors helping the community this year, and also helping make sure our troops and veterans have the ability to call home,” said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson. “Donating something we often take for granted, like a used cell phone, toy or can of food, can make a real difference in helping someone’s holiday be a little brighter.”
