Bus drivers have put the wheels of giving in motion with an initiative to bring joy to underprivileged families this Christmas.

Department of Public Transportation staff decided to deploy their own resources in a community service project, by rolling out a bus.

Between Tuesday, November 3 and November 19, a pink and blue bus will visit nine pickup points across the Island to collect donations of toys, clothes, shoes and non-perishable food.

The community is invited to meet the challenge of filling the bus. The goods will then be distributed in Christmas hampers to needy families by the Salvation Army.

Major Doug Lewis, Salvation Army Divisional Commander, said: "The bus drivers wanted to do something and thought of us.

"I think it's an excellent idea to challenge the general public to fill the bus. And with it moving across the Island, it means no one has to drive any great distance to get their stuff to us."

Major Lewis said that in the current recession, it was more important than ever before to be charitable.

"Within the last year we've had a 20 percent increase in the number of people and families coming to us for assistance. We are anticipating that will carry over into the Christmas Hamper Programme.

"We continue to hear of people being laid off and unable to get work, so there will be more people looking for some type of help at Christmas time."

Department of Public Transportation wellness coordinator Beverley Howell R.N. said: "We recognise that Bermuda always gives to everybody and that we are a blessed Country because of that, but we have people in our own Country who are struggling right now because of these economic times.

"So we thought what we should do is challenge people to meet us at the bus because charity begins at home.

"We want the public to support our community service project, which will benefit Bermudians."

The bus will visit the following places between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday: Ordnance Island

Wednesday: Clearwater Middle School

Thursday: Aquarium

Monday, November 9: Somerset Depot

Tuesday, November 10: Somerset Bridge Post Office

Thursday, November 12: Rubber Tree, Warwick

Tuesday, November 17: Bermuda College

Wednesday, November 18: The Berkeley Institute

Thursday, November 19: City Hall

Contact wellness coordinator Mrs. Howell for more information on 292-3851.