TAMPA -- To kick off the holiday season, the University of South Florida Athletics Department has teamed up with the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) for the inaugural "Take HART" Food and Toy Drive to benefit America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

Fans attending USF football's in-state showdown with No. 19 Miami on Saturday, November 28 are encouraged to help HART stuff a bus with new  and/or  slightly used toys and non-perishable food items. A HART bus will be parked on Tampa Bay Boulevard, near the Bull Zone on the south side of Raymond James Stadium, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For fans who park on the north side of the stadium, the Marines will also be stationed there to collect donated gifts. 

In addition, HART will provide a bus ride to and from the game for a number of kids who attend a local Boys & Girls Club, giving them a chance to experience their first collegiate football game.  

"Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is proud to team up with the USF BULLS to provide a football game experience for the Boys & Girls Club while also rallying a Food & Toy drive to enable many Hillsborough County children to enjoy a feast and fun during this special holiday season," said David Armijo, HART's CEO. 

"USF Athletics is really excited to partner with HART on initiatives surrounding Saturday's showdown with Miami," said USF Executive Associate Director of Athletics Bill McGillis. "HART is an exemplary community citizen and is going above and beyond with their involvement with America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay, Marines Corps Toys for Tots, and the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay this weekend.  We're very proud to have HART as a partner."

 For over 30 years HART has provided transit services throughout Hillsborough County.  This year HART was named Florida's Outstanding Transit System of Year for achievements in the areas of  customer service, safety, staff development, policy, community relations, marketing and financial management.