Background:

Saturday, May 10 marks the 21st 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.

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 five million seniors over age 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help.

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.

“We are so thankful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and Campbell’s Soup Company for their continued energy in Stamp Out Hunger,” said Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “Join us on May 10, and help provide relief for our neighbors struggling with hunger.”

Akron Mayor, Don Plusquellic’s Office will be presenting a proclamation to the local NALC Branch 148 at 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2014 at the Akron Main Office, 675 Wolf Ledges Pkwy. Akron, OH 44309. He will be recognizing the NALC efforts on contributing more than 30,000 pounds of donated food to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank last year.

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.

How the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Works

Just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by the mailbox on Saturday, May 10, and the Postal carrier will do the rest. It’s that simple and millions of Americans will be helped.

Please help get the word out to your viewers!

A 30-second Stamp Out Hunger Public Service Announcement (PSA) HD video is available for TV and Cable stations to download at http://www.uspsvideo.com/ for broadcast use on your network.

If not already registered with USPS Newsroom, news outlets can sign up on the site. Authorization can take up to 24 hours.

Thank you for your support of the communities we both serve.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.