Greater Hudson Valley, NY — On Saturday, May 11, letter carriers in the Greater Hudson Valley will join their postal colleagues to participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger food drive - the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers will collect these food donations as they deliver the mail on their routes with donations going directly to local food pantries for people in need.

The facts on hunger in America are sobering. According to a 2012 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 50 million Americans—one in six 6—are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Children in these households feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. And nearly 3 million seniors over age 65 must deal with hunger as well, with many who live on fixed incomes and embarrassed to ask for help.

Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from generous customers on their routes. The timing of the food drive in May is pivotal. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted.

“The Stamp Out Hunger food drive speaks volumes about the generosity of Americans and demonstrates how postal employees care about the communities where they work and live,” emphasizes USPS Westchester District Manager Joseph Lubrano.

For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, customers can ask their local letter carrier, contact the post office, or visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.

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