Communities across the state are asked to make a difference for those who need food assistance by taking part in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 9.
The nation’s largest single-day food drive is being held in partnership with Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Foodbank Kauai and The Food Basket on Hawaii Island.
Blue bags will be placed in mailboxes prior to collection day in which residents can leave non-perishable food donations. Leave the filled bag next to the mailbox before mail delivery on May 9.
Letter carriers will pick them up along their routes and deliver them to the Hawaii Foodbank where nearly 400 postal workers together with local unions, truckers and volunteers will sort through and prepare donations for distribution.
According to a news release, donations support food banks in Hawaii, helping to provide meals for one in three families facing food insecurity.
Financial donations are also accepted and can be made online. Monetary gifts are especially powerful, according to the release, because they allow food banks to purchase exactly what is needed most and when it’s needed, making the most of every dollar.
“This annual food drive is a powerful example of what our community can accomplish when we come together,” said Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawaii Foodbank, in the release. “With so many local families and neighbors struggling to make ends meet, every donation helps ensure our neighbors have access to the food they need.”
Mail carriers have set a goal of collecting over 300,000 pounds of food donations this year.
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