The Lawrence Transit System will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a public reception at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., and will provide free rides all day Friday.

The reception – which will include free food, beverages and a sneak peek at a new rider appreciation T-shirt – is one of several events this week to celebrate the five-year anniversary. The system also will host several “Stuff the Bus” events to collect toys and canned foods for the Salvation Army.

Buses will be accepting donations at the following times and locations: 4 p.m. today, UNO Chicago Grill, 3333 Iowa; 5 p.m. Thursday, Lawrence Arts Center; 4 p.m. Friday, Russell Stover Candies, 1300 W. 23rd St.; and 10 a.m. Saturday, Hy-Vee Food and Drug, 4000 W. Sixth St.