WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2015

WHERE: Communities across Upstate New York  

WHO: Postal Service carriers and the American people

WHAT: Saturday, May 9 marks the 23rd 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 and other regional partners.

Just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by the mailbox on Saturday, May 9, and the Postal carrier will do the rest. It’s that simple and millions of Americans will be helped.

In 2014, over 72 million pounds of food was collected by Postal carriers nationally, feeding an estimated 30 million people. Over the course of the 22-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 at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

FAQS: On the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Why is this effort so successful?

Letters carriers know their communities and recognize that need, even in unlikely settings.

The coming months are especially trying for our neediest neighbors and for the local charities that serve them. In summer, other food collections taper off and as schools shut down, school breakfast and lunch programs also cut back significantly. The need escalates just as pantry shelves grow light.

Where does my food go?

Food collected in a community stays in that community. We believe that is one reason for the success of this endeavor, because our customers know we are delivering right at home where the need is great.

Is anything special needed?

Many pantries also work with special dietary or family needs, such as feeding small children and infants, elder nutrition and ethnic needs. Donations of low to no-sodium, nutritional drinks and packaged ethnic specialties are welcome.

I have some jars of sauce. Can I set these out?

Glass containers pose a serious risk to our carriers and to pantry volunteers if broken in transit. In addition, spills can contaminate other donations. So please … no glass.

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