It’s that time of year when you can make a difference for the less fortunate. I’m writing about the yearly “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive that’s been ongoing for over 30 years on the second Saturday in May.
This food drive is a mutual partnership between the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the U.S. Postal Service. It involves a very simple approach on its success. You leave some (non-outdated) non-perishable food, on your porch or by your mailbox by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 and your letter carrier will do the rest. It’s that simple.
Over the years, 10,000 cities and towns throughout the U.S., have participated in this yearly venture and during this time billions of pounds of food have been donated. This food has gone to neighboring food pantries and shelters. For instance, Fairhaven letter carriers picked up this food along their routes and this food was eventually delivered to the Shepherd’s Pantry, located at the Long Plain United Methodist Church in Acushnet.
The food that is collected, for one example, helps during summer months especially when schools are out and free breakfast/lunches are not available. You can do your part even if it means leaving only a couple of canned goods to be picked up. If everyone would consider doing just this, thousands of pounds more of food would be collected for the needy.
Together, we can make a dent for the food-insecure folks in our communities.
Gerry Payette, U.S. Postal Letter Carrier/ Retired, Director/Shepherd’s Pantry
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