Help the U.S. Postal Service stamp out hunger May 14

Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America deliver much more than mail when they walk and drive along their postal routes. They also collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers who participate in the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive — the largest one-day food drive in the nation and probably the world.

Led by letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers, with the help of rural carriers, other postal employees and numerous volunteers, the drive has resulted in delivery of more than one billion pounds of donations to community food banks and pantries over the past 18 years.

Carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. Nearly 1,500 local NALC branches in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands are involved in the drive.

All residents need do is to place a box or can of non-perishable food next to their mailbox before their letter carrier delivers mail on May 14. The carrier will do the rest. The food is taken to a postal station, sorted and then delivered to an area food bank or pantry. There it is available for needy families.

Some 35.5 million people face hunger every day in America, including 13 million children. This drive is one way residents can help those right in their own city or town who need assistance.

Pete Countryman
Elizabethtown