What:

30th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carrier Food Drive & USPS Connect Kick off

When:

Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

Who:

Madera Mayor Santos Garcia
Madera Food Bank Executive Director Ryan McWherter
Madera Postmaster Arvin Sekhon

Where:

Madera Post Office
201 D. Street
Madera, CA 93638

Background:

With the help of sponsors, volunteer organizations and U.S. Postal Service employees in 10,000 communities nationwide, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its 30th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 14. Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive.

For the past two years, the difficult decision was made to cancel the in-person food drive due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. As individuals and families faced this challenge, it has become ever clearer the need to reinstitute and revive this traditional in-person food drive this year.

Donating is easy. Customers should leave their non-perishable food donations in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday, May 14, before their letter carrier arrives.  In the days leading up to the food drive, letter carriers will be delivering special bags along with your mail that may be used to make donations. Food collected during Saturday’s drive will be delivered to local community churches, food banks and food pantries for distribution.

While all non-perishable donations are welcome, foods that are high in protein such as canned tuna, salmon, beans, and peanut butter are most needed. Canned fruits and vegetables, whole grain, low sugar cereals, macaroni, and cheese dinners and 100% fruit juice also top the list of most needed items.

For additional information about this year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive visit nalc.org/community-service/food-drive.

Food Drive TIPS

WHAT TO GIVE: Most-wanted foods include:

• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)
• Canned and boxed meals (soup, chili, stew, macaroni, and cheese)
• Canned or dried beans and peas (black, pinto, lentils)
• Pasta, rice cereal
• Canned fruits
• 100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed)
• Canned vegetables
• Cooking oil
• Boxed cooking mixes (pancake, breads)

WHAT NOT TO GIVE:

• Rusty or unlabeled cans
• Glass containers
• Perishable items
• Homemade items
• No expired items
• Noncommercial canned or packaged items
• Alcoholic beverages or mixes or soda
• Open or used items

The Postal Service generally 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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