A donation drive looking to give food to food pantries in Fairfax saw a significant increase in this year's donations.

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The “Stuff the Bus” annual giving campaign, which aims to gather food donations for Fairfax County food pantries, finished its 2012 drive with 26 percent more food donations than last year, according to a statement from the County of Fairfax.

The second annual campaign is based on collaborations between Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services, MV Transportation, Giant, Shoppers Food Warehouse, and the Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3), the statement reads. The bus visited 11 local grocery stores in Fairfax County over the course of six weeks—gathering over 26,000 pounds of food and more than $3,000 for pantries.

“Stuff the Bus” began on Martin Luther King Day in mid-January and ran through President’s Day.

“This time of year was selected because it traditionally represents one of the lowest giving periods to local pantries whose stores often run dangerously low on needed items. All donations directly benefit local nonprofit organizations that help feed families and individuals in need,” the statement reads.

“This year’s Stuff the Bus drive once again raised awareness of the needs of the most vulnerable in our community” said Chris Leonard, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.