ST. LOUIS – There are news stories galore about the increasing number of Americans needing social services, food and shelter, now more than ever. Giving back to the community during the holidays is a time-honored tradition for Mayflower Transit’s unique network of agents. Even in today’s difficult economic times, Mayflower agents across the nation have continued to support their communities this holiday season through generous donations, bringing smiles to so many.

“Thanksgiving is always a special time for Mayflower agents, and we are proud to have a strong family of agents who are committed to making the holidays a little brighter for their communities,” said Jennifer Bonham, manager of PR and communications for Mayflower Transit. “Our agents are proud to partner with so many outstanding nonprofit and educational organizations throughout the year.”

Mayflower agents prove there are countless ways to give back to their communities, no matter how big or small. The following examples are just a few stories of how Mayflower agents helped out this holiday season:

• Colorado – Denver-based Buehler Moving and Storage recently partnered with the Aspen Academy in Littleton, Colo., for its annual food drive benefiting the families of the troops stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo. Buehler Moving & Storage provided a Mayflower moving van that Aspen Academy students filled with food donations. The food drive was a success, with the community donating more than 8,000 cans (nearly 1,500 pounds) of food and approximately $3,000 in cash.
  
  
• Colorado – All American Moving Services of Denver partnered with KOOL 105 and the Denver Rescue Mission for its “Fill the Mayflower” donation drive that was held Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. All American donated a Mayflower moving van, two employees, temporary storage and 600 boxes and rolls of tape for the drive. The company collected non-perishable food items and monetary donations that were distributed through the Denver Rescue Mission for the holiday season.
  
  
• Illinois – On Nov. 22, Stevenson Transfer donated Mayflower moving vans for its annual “Fill the Mayflower” event to collect food for the holidays. In just one day, the food drive collected more than 2,000 cans of food, $300 in cash and two turkeys that were delivered to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry and the Ottawa Community Food Basket.
  
  
• Michigan – Michigan agent Sidney Sowle & Son partnered with a local grocery store and radio station for its second annual “Fill the Mayflower” donation drive. The two-day drive collected food, clothing and personal hygiene items that were delivered to the local Red Cross in a Mayflower moving van.
  
  
• Minnesota – Giving back to the community is always in season for Metcalf Moving & Storage of Minnesota. This year, the group adopted a family for the holiday through the Minnesota National Guard Family Network, a group that supports military families in need. On Thanksgiving Day, Metcalf employees delivered boxes of groceries to the family, which contained everything needed for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
  
  
• Missouri – Dodge Moving & Storage of St. Louis donated three Mayflower moving vans for “Scouting for Food,” America’s largest one-day food drive. The trucks were used to collect food at three area fire stations and transport the goods to the St. Louis Area Food Bank.
  
  
• Nebraska – This Thanksgiving, the Stephen Center, an emergency homeless shelter in Omaha, hosted guests onboard a 53-foot Mayflower moving van donated by Select Van and Storage to celebrate one of America’s favorite holiday traditions – a Thanksgiving Day football game. The van was fully furnished and heated to provide a comfortable place to watch the game and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
  
  
• New York – Clark Moving and Storage of Albany hosted a food drive for its “Fill the Mayflower” event, which brought the community together full circle. Clark Moving and Storage first delivered boxes to local schools to decorate them, then delivered the decorated boxes to area businesses serving as donation sites. The boxes were ultimately used to “Fill the Mayflower” with the donated goods that benefited the Albany Regional Food Bank.
  
  
• Wyoming – Arrow Moving and Storage of Cheyenne donated a Mayflower moving van to AMVETS, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and active military, for a food donation drive at Frontier Mall. Following the successful drive, Arrow transported the donated goods to AMVET’s local shelter, which hand-delivered the food items to those in need.

About Mayflower Transit
Mayflower Transit, founded in 1927, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest van lines and transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower’s headquarters offices are located in suburban St. Louis, Mo. Further information about the company is available at www.mayflower.com.