On Saturday, May 13th, 2017 the National Association of Letter Carriers will collect food donations in order to provide assistance to millions of Americans who are struggling with hunger. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, having collected more than one billion pounds of food since its inception as a national food drive in 1993.
The nation’s 180,000 letter carriers will collect food donations left at the mailboxes of generous Americans in more than 10,000 communities and deliver them to food banks and other hunger-relief organizations.
In 2015, generous individuals donated more than 70 million pounds of food, which marked the 12th consecutive year that at least 70 million pounds were collected.
Wonder what foods are great to donate to the food drive? Here are a few non-perishable food items requested by food banks:
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Rice
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned meals such as soups, chili, pasta
• 100% juice
• Peanut butter
• Pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce
• Macaroni & cheese
• Canned protein – tuna, chicken, turkey
• Beans – canned or dry
For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, head HERE.
Diana says
I love this annual campaign. It is a great reason to dig through the cabinet and pass on those items I bought for some recipe or other, but then didn’t use.
Tanya says
As a letter carrier, I’m always happy to be a part of this food drive. It’s truly amazing to see my customers generousity. Unloading all the donations at the end of the day is pretty amazing.
Lilypad says
I think it’s so wonderful that the letter carriers take on this responsibility on top of their daily work. When QFC (Kroger) had Barilla pasta on sale 10 for $10 a few weeks back, I stocked up so I can donate them. I figured it was lighter for the carriers than cans of beans! Mavis, thanks for publicizing this wonderful food drive.
Janet says
Have four bags ready this year . Food given to me that I can’t eat so I’m passing it on. I do this every year.
Tracy says
Lucy looks like a Pin Up in her chair! Complete with “come hither” look…
Amy says
My mom is a longtime volunteer at a food shelf, please donate jelly if you donate peanut butter. Their ratio of peanut butter to jelly is usually pretty high and many patrons of the have kids. Also pancake syrup if you donate pancake mix.
gina says
I’ve got my bag ready! Thanks for the reminder!
Yes, give us MORE MORE MORE Lucy! SOOOO dang cute!