Help the hungry and improve your community preparedness through national food drive on May 8

Did you know food banks play an important part in community preparedness? Here’s why: Because if there are 49.1 million people who already don't have enough to eat and a disaster such as a flood, tornado or flu outbreak strikes, the demand on food banks will increase. That's why it’s important to support our community food banks year-round. You can help improve preparedness in your community thanks to an upcoming national food drive, Stamp out Hunger.

Organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the U.S. Postal Service and other sponsors, Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Since its inception in 1993, the food drive has collected nearly 1 billion pounds of food, including a record-setting 73.4 million pounds in 2009.

It’s easy to help Stamp Out Hunger this year. Just leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal, next to your mailbox before your mail comes on Saturday, May 8. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans, and should not be expired.

The nation’s 230,000 letter carriers will be collecting the donations and delivering them to food banks and other hunger relief organizations in more than 10,000 local communities. If you’re not sure whether your postal carrier will be taking part Saturday, contact your local post office. For more on the food drive, visit the event website, Facebook page or Twitter.

Every little bit helps and moves your local food bank — and your community — one step closer to being prepared.