Letter carriers will collect non-perishable items on Saturday, May 12th.
On Saturday, May 12th, the United States Postal Service is asking citizens to leave bags of non-perishable food where your letter carrier would normally deliver your mail. Frederick Postmaster, Jay Jones says it's to help provide assistance to the millions of Americans who are struggling with hunger each and every day, as the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive gets underway. "The nation's 210,000 letter carriers will be collecting food donations left at the mailboxes of generous Americans in more than 10,000 communities and deliver them to food banks," said Jones.
In many ways, America is the land of plenty, but for 1 in 6 people in the United States, hunger is a reality. "According to the U.S. Department of Agricultural's annual study, measuring food security, the number of Americans living in secure homes, was 49 million, and nearly half had to choose between paying a utility bill or purchasing food," continued Jones.
Last year local letter carriers collected over 9,000 pounds of food. "The goal this year is 14,000."
Examples of non-perishable items include: canned soup, canned meats and fish, canned vegetables, fruits and juices, boxed goods, such as cereal, pasta and rice.
For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, ask your letter carrier, contact your local post office or visit www.helpstampouthunger.com .
