When your postal carrier drops by this Saturday, she or he
will be ready to pick up more than just mail. Saturday, May 13, is the national
Stamp Out Hunger food drive, during
which postal carriers pick up food donations that are set out next to U.S.
mailboxes.
Held annually since 1992, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive
collected more than 80 million pounds of food last year. The event is organized
by the National Association of Letter Carriers, with support from the U.S.
Postal Service, United Way Worldwide, AARP Foundation and other sponsors.
To take part, just leave a sturdy bag containing
non-perishable foods next to your mailbox before your mail comes on Saturday. Organizers
say the most-requested items are cereal, pasta, spaghetti sauce, rice, canned
fruits and vegetables, soups, juice, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and canned
proteins such as tuna, chicken and turkey. Healthy items such as beans, oatmeal
and canola oil are also welcome. Food should be in non-breakable containers,
such as boxes and cans, and should not be expired.
Statistics show that your donation will matter: In 2015, 42.2
million Americans lived in food-insecure households — meaning that they didn’t
have enough food — including 29.1 million adults and 13.1 million children.
“Letter carriers see many of these folks along our routes
each day,” Fredric Rolando, National Association of Letter Carriers president.
“Our food drive can make a positive difference in the lives of those who have
been dealt difficult hands.”
Making a donation to Stamp Out Hunger can do more than fill
empty bellies in your community. Food banks play an important role in community preparedness, because they are often where people turn to for assistance after
a disaster or emergency.
For more on the food
drive, read the official FAQs. If you’re not sure whether your postal carrier will be taking part in the food
drive Saturday, contact your local post office.
Thanks for helping your community be less hungry and more
prepared!
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