Let’s help the letter carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” on May 10th

 

On Saturday, May 10th, the day before Mothers’ Day, the letter carriers will stage their 16th annual blitz to combat hunger. This is the largest one-day food collection in the nation and is such a worthy cause, with over 70 million pounds of non-perishable items donated last year.

 

Food bank donations tend to wane after the winter holidays, according to the National Association of Letter Carriers. This drop-off becomes especially tough during the summer, when school breakfast and lunch programs are suspended. There are millions of children for whom this is the only stable source of nutrition.

 

Cindy and I became aware of the food drive this year after receiving a call from Koinonia, one of the fine organizations in our area that helps the disadvantaged. They wanted to borrow our moving truck to transport donated items from the postal facilities to their storage center. When we found out about their efforts to restock community food banks, and the history of the nationwide food drive, we wanted to get involved beyond just the use of our truck. With the current economic squeeze and the price of gas, we know there are many local folks that need community support.

 

If you want to help out, here is a list of the boxed or canned items they can use most:

1.   Mac and cheese

2.   Pasta dinners

3.   Tuna or Hamburger Helper

4.   Cleaning supplies (because only food is covered by food stamps)

5.   Cereal

6.   Snacks for kids

7.   Peanut butter and jelly

All you have to do is leave your donations in a bag close to where you mail your letters and the letter carriers will do the rest.

 

Your help along with the support of the U.S. Postal Service, the AFL-CIO, the unions representing both city and rural carriers, the sponsorship of Campbell Soup Company and lots of others can make this campaign a big success. Thanks!