Rush Enterprises, Inc., which operates a network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, has announced a special community service initiative — in partnership with Waste Management, Inc. — the donation of a new Navistar 4300 truck to the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB). The truck will be used for the ACCFB’s summer Mobile Pantry program, which provides healthy foods to families during the summer school meal gap. The body of the truck includes canopies on each side, so Alameda County residents can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables and other staples (free of charge) on either side of the truck while being shaded from the sun.

During the 2013 Waste Management Charity Golf Tournament Dinner, Waste Management CEO David Steiner along with Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. President Barry Skolnick presented $95,000 to the ACCFB for its Mobile Pantry program. W. M. "Rusty" Rush, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Rush Enterprises, Inc., was so moved by the food bank’s mission he pledged a commercial truck to support the program as well.

“An estimated 20,000 children in Oakland rely on free and reduced-cost meals during the school year, and most families struggle to replace those meals during the summer months when school meals aren’t available,” said Suzan Bateson, executive director, Alameda County Community Food Bank. “Programs like Mobile Pantry play a critical role bridging school meal gaps by providing free, healthy food to families in need.”

The donated Navistar 4300 chassis is valued at approximately $65,000.