The Iowa State Daily’s fifth-annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign was met with success Friday and Saturday, surpassing last year’s benchmark.

More than four buses’ worth of goods and approximately $3,100 in cash donations were gathered from the two-day drive.

Approximately 150 student and community volunteers gathered as early as 8 a.m. Saturday to help with the event.

Groups such as the ISU chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers and Chi Epsilon were out to lend their support for the drive, taking two-hour shifts..

“It’s a great cause, and we like to help out when we can,” said Chi Epsilon president Adam Miller, senior in civil engineering.

Other ISU groups, such as the Public Relations Student Society of America and Alpha Phi Omega, also stepped forward to lend a hand, as did local community organizations such as Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave.

Standing in the humid 80-to-90-degree weather, the volunteers gave out fliers and collected donations from individuals such as Ames resident Anthony Stevens, who sees such events as a reminder of his good fortune.

“People end up in situations where they need help, and I have the ability to help,” Stevens said.

He said it is a person’s social and civic responsibility to provide for others when they cannot.

Tom Guard, manager of the west Hy-Vee, 3800 Lincoln Way, stressed the philanthropic ideas of responsibility and involvement.

“The Iowa State Daily is a big part of the Iowa State community, and we have a good venue to help,” Guard said.

The donations from the event benefit Mid-Iowa Community Action, a nonprofit organization that helps local families stricken with poverty.