MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Transit, in partnership with Food for the Hungry, launched its Caring Carts program on Tuesday. The program is an effort to improve food securement for riders who regularly shop for groceries and pick up food distributions.
“We have distributed carts to our regular shopper riders and have carts available on the buses for the incidental needs of the rest of our riders,” Transit Director Bethany Celmar said.
“These carts will allow groceries to be stored in a large cart secured with the wheelchair securement system to prevent groceries from spilling or sliding.”
The current safety rule for bus carry-on items states that all items must be secured and contained within the seating area. Celmar said this can be difficult for riders who are stocking up on groceries or would like to collect larger food distributions.
Knox County Transit is utilizing a Food for the Hungry grant to purchase carts for riders and buses to eliminate barriers for riders to have sustainable access to food. Carts will be secured on buses by Aug. 28 for all riders who were not given a cart.
These carts will give a safe storage place for groceries during the bus ride and will remain with the bus. Additional carts were given to riders who frequently use services for food access.
Celmar said the program is patterned after similar programs in neighboring transits in Coshocton County and Licking County.
“We are incredibly grateful to Food for the Hungry for helping us remove barriers to food access and make public transportation work better for the people who rely on it,” she said.
“This is what community partnership looks like.”