The National Association of Letter Carriers is gearing up for the 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the largest single-day food drive in the nation, scheduled for May 10.
This initiative, which has collected over 1.9 billion pounds of food since its inception, aims to address the pressing issue of hunger across the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Letter carriers are in the communities they serve every day and often come face to face with a sad reality for far too many, hunger,” said the association.
The drive encourages residents to leave non-perishable food donations in a bag by their mailbox, which letter carriers will collect and deliver to local food pantries.
The timing of the drive is critical, as food banks and pantries often face shortages in the spring after the winter holiday season. This is particularly concerning as more than 44 million Americans, including over 14 million children and nearly 5.5 million seniors, experience food insecurity.
“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,” the association noted.
Residents are encouraged to verify food collection participation with their local letter carrier or through the National Association of Letter Carriers’ website. The Postal Service, which supports the drive, is an independent federal establishment that operates without tax dollars, relying on the sale of postage, products, and services.
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