Before saying a word to the members of Staunton City Council April 24, Stoney Caricofe placed a glass trophy on the podium. It is the award that the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 513, based in Staunton, won last year for its efforts in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Staunton collected the most food for cities with similar populations last year in the national organization’s annual food drive.
Caricofe, the local chapter’s president, said the former president, Tom Miller, cared a lot about the food drive.
“I am thrilled that I can take over as the president for him and be able to win now two years in a row an award for the food drive,” Caricofe said. “This will be his last year with us so I want to make this year even better.”
The food drive in Staunton is May 10. Council presented NALC 513 with a proclamation in support of the Stamp Out Hunger event and encouraged residents to place nonperishable food items for donation to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in or near their mailbox that morning.
Letter carriers as well as volunteers will pick up the donations that day.
Cindy Connors coordinates the local food drive. She said the award is an acknowledgement to the community. Last year Staunton collected 15,140 pounds of food according to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
“We can’t do this without the community,” she said. “We did that together and we’re going to do it again this year.”
Connors said they are partnering with the Charlottesville branch of NALC, which covers Charlottesville, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg. She said that branch is in a different size category and the goal is for both Staunton and Charlottesville to win.
“That’s our goal, to feed the Shenandoah Valley,” Connors said. “I am really proud of doing this.”
The bags will be showing up at residents’ mail boxes the week before May 10, but even if you don’t receive a bag, Connors said any bag will do.
“Just put the food by the mailbox and we’ll do the rest,” she said.
Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ has been organizing the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. It has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.
“These donations for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive come at a crucial time to help keep pantries stocked,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “During the summer months, children and families can count on the Food Bank and its partner pantries to have a fresh supply of food. The community spirit, generosity, and coordination behind Stamp Out Hunger is astonishing and heartwarming.”
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
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