Saturday, May 14 marks the 24th anniversary of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Each year, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from customers. These donations go directly to the local food banks/pantries.
Last year, letter carriers collected more than 71 million pounds of food nationally, helping to feed an estimated 30 million people. Currently, 49 million Americans — 1-in-6 — are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Sixteen million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school.
The timing of this year’s drive is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.
Participating in this year’s Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger food drive is simple. Just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 14 and your letter carrier will do the rest.
A few suggested food items include: canned tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, peanut butter, cold cereals, oatmeal, household paper products and healthy snacks for children.
Local cities that participate and where their collected food is donated, include:
• Bellevue — United Methodist Good Samaritan
• Charlotte — Helping Hands
• Dimondale — Dimondale Food Pantry
• Eaton Rapids — Heart and Hand Food Bank
• Mulliken — United Methodist Church
• Potterville — Potterville United Methodist Church
• Sunfield — Mana’s Market
• Vermontville/Nashville — Maple Valley Community Center.
Article submitted by Jo Ellen Moore, NALC 122 Food Drive Coordinator.