Stamp Out Hunger annual food drive takes place across US

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers, who participate in the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive .

This is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Led by letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO), with help from rural letter carriers, other postal employees and other volunteers, the drive has delivered more than 1.82 billion pounds of food in the past 30 years.

In Altoona, the food is distributed evenly through five food banks in the area.

“Well, it really helps it. It’s a major contribution because we average between 26 and 27 tons a year. And between the five food banks, they all get an equal amount. And that’s a lot of canned goods, a lot of dry goods,” Robert Kutz, Blair-Bedford Central Labor Council President said. “And it helps give the folks a push into the summer whenever the cupboards get a little bit empty and the kids are going to be around, this will be a big help.”

Carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. Nearly 1,500 NALC branches in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands are involved.

The United States Postal Service, National Association of Letter Carriers, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, AFL-CIO, United Way, Vericast, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, CVS Health, Kellogg’s, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union are all supporting this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Donations of boxed or canned non-perishable foods could be placed next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivered mail. The carriers did the rest. The food was sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families.

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One in ten Americans face hunger every day in America. This drive is one way you can help those in your own city or town who need help.

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