PORTLAND, ME — Saturday, May 10 marks the 22nd anniversary of America’s largest-single day of giving — the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, Campbell Soup, Feeding America and other partners. The annual food drive has grown from a regional to national effort that provides assistance to the millions of Americans Struggling to put food on the table.

Currently, 49 million Americans – 1 in 6 – are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Sixteen million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. And nearly 5 million seniors over age 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help. Too many people are still going to bed hungry and many of our carriers see this on a daily basis. For over two decades they have taken the lead to stamp out this unnecessary problem.

In 2013, 74 million pounds of food was collected by Postal carriers nationally, feeding an estimated 30 million people. Over the course of the 21-year history, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected well over one billion pounds of food.

The food drive’s timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies during a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

How the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Works
In participating areas, just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag (no glass containers please) by the mailbox on Saturday, May 10, and your letter carrier will do the rest. It’s that simple and millions of Americans will be helped.

Learn more about the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and Feeding America today!

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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