Food drive May 12

Saturday, May 12, letter carriers with the United States Postal Service will host the 20^th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive to collect food donations for those who struggle with hunger.

On that day, postal customers are asked to leave food items at, or next to, their mailboxes.  Donations are returned to pantries in communities where they are collected. Glass items cannot be accepted

“The Postal Service is pleased to continue supporting the National Association of Letter Carriers as we enter our 20th year together to help Stamp Out Hunger in America,” says the Postal Service’s District Manager for Arkansas, David Camp.

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, having collected more than one billion pounds of non-perishable food since it began in 1993.

“Food collected in a community stays in that community.  Our customers know we are delivering where the need is great,” explained Mr. Camp.   “Many pantries also work with special dietary or family needs, such as feeding small children and infants, elder nutrition and ethnic needs.  Donations of baby food, low to no-sodium, nutritional drinks and packaged ethnic specialties are welcome.”  

Examples of non-perishable items include:

·    Canned soup

·    Canned meats and fish

·    Canned vegetables, fruits and juices

·    Boxed goods

·    Pasta and rice

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

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