National Association of Letter Carriers collecting food in mailboxes May 14
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The nation’s largest one-day food drive called Stamp Out Hunger is Saturday, May 14.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has conducted an annual nationwide food drive for 31 years. NALC collects non-perishable food donations along postal routes. Some of those donations will go to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
Branch 1015 of the NALC covers several communities in southeast Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Perryville.
“Carriers are excited for this year’s food drive,” said Kraig Shafer, NALC food drive coordinator for Branch 1015, in a news release to media. “We know the need of the communities we live in. We know everyone is struggling, and we hope that Stamp Out Hunger is able to help the people who need it. We hope our communities really show that level of giving.”
People may participate by placing non-perishable foods in a sturdy container next to their mailbox by 8 a.m. Saturday, May 13.
Special bags, sponsored by Edge Realty of Cape Girardeau, will be distributed the week before the food drive.
If someone does not receive a bag, any bag or box will do, according to Shafer. Items like canned soup or stew and canned meats such as chicken or tuna are donations. Food will still be picked up if it rains. Southeast Missouri Food Bank will pick up donated items from the post office and distribute food within the community where it was collected.
SEMO Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Joey Keys says Stamp Out Hunger is one of the biggest food drives of the years.
“It’s always gratifying to see how much the community supports it,” said Keys. “People are still struggling with higher prices at the grocery store and needing assistance to keep food on the table. Food from Stamp Out Hunger will be distributed in the community where it is collected, so this is a great, and easy, way to help your neighbors.”
The 31st Annual Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation’s largest, single-day food drive. It occurs at a time when schools are letting out for the summer and many parents have additional expenses with child care and providing all meals for their children.
Hunger affects one in five childre, one in six families and one in eight senior citizens in southeast Missouri, according to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
Food drives like Stamp Out Hunger help provide relief and are a key tool in the fight against hunger.
Ask your letter carrier, contact your local post office, visit facebook.com/StampOutHunger/, or follow the drive on Twitter at twitter.com/StampOutHunger for more information.
