“Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is Saturday
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is continuing to prepare for the nation’s largest food drive to combat hunger. “Stamp Out Hunger” will be conducted Saturday, May 11. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
The 21st annual NALC National Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger” is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Nationally, carriers collected 70 million pounds of food in last year’s drive.
Donations will be collected by almost 1,500 local branches of the 295,000-member postal union and delivered to food banks, pantries and shelters that serve the communities where they are collected.
Assisting in the effort are rural letter carriers and other postal employees, as well as members of other unions and thousands of civic volunteers. Last year, the Marquette Post Office collected 14,700 pounds of food, which was then distributed to food pantries at Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Harbor House, Janzen House and Voices for Youth.
NALC President, Fredric V. Rolando, emphasized that as successful as the food drive has been in the past, it simply must be even better this year. “Millions and millions of families are suffering – struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” Rolando said. “Food banks, pantries and shelters need our help more than ever this year. As families count on them for support, they’re counting on us and we must not back off on our commitment.”
Rolando also noted that donations are particularly critical at this time since most school lunch programs are suspended during the summer months and millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.
It’s easy to participate. Just leave your non-perishable items in a bag or box near your mailbox before the mail comes, and the postal carrier will pick it up. Persons who have any questions about the drive at their location should ask their letter carrier or contact their local post office.