CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The 2nd annual FUEL the Bus was a major success, with the community coming together to collect thousands of dollars in food items for hungry children in Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools.

Clarksville Police Department accepted donations of nutritional, non-perishable food items at the Downtown Market this Saturday. Donations went to the FUEL Program, a local organization that prepares bags of food for children in need to take home on the weekends.

The FUEL Program has taken on new importance in the face of COVID-19. When schools closed early, the volunteers at FUEL worked to ensure children who sometimes rely on school for regular meals would not go hungry.

The Program reported that this year’s event gathered 1,200 granola bars, 150 bags of chips, 1,100 pop tarts, 75 boxes of cereal, 800 pudding cups, 900 juice boxes, 72 fruit cups, 800 peanut butter crackers and 1,200 other assorted snack items.

“We went into [FUEL the Bus] with some reservation, wondering how many people would be able to come out and support us since there are so many opportunities to support other organizations; however, this community remains committed to the FUEL Program… Another year has gone be with FUEL the Bus being one of our largest food drives with an opportunity to feed all the children in our community that are crying out for help,” said FUEL Program Founder Denise Skidmore.

“We are so appreciative of the Clarksville Police Department, the Fire Department, the FOP who donated $1000 worth of food and to Senator Powers who took the time out of his day to come down and write a personal check to us for $1000. The support of this city remains the same, committed to ending child hunger in our community,” said Skidmore.

Senator Bill Powers has made a tradition out of donating his earnings as a state senator to charities within his district. For this month’s donation, Powers visited downtown to give $1000 dollars to program.

“I have donated all monies that I have derived from public office to worthy charities for the past 6 years,” said Senator Bill Powers. “”FUEL is one of my favorite missions. It does not get any better than distributing weekend bags to food insecure students. And knowing that local churches pack and transport when called upon is truly selfless and warms my heart. Denise Skidmore is a gem in my book,” said Powers.

To learn more about the FUEL Program and how you can help to end child hunger in Clarksville-Montgomery County, visit them at their website and on Facebook.