The second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from their customers. The donations go to the food pantries in the area that need help.
Last year, Miami Valley letter carriers collected more than 90,673 pounds to feed more than 75,500 people in need, according to a press release.
In the 26-year history, the drive has collected more than one billion pounds of food with help from the postal service universal delivery network that spans the nation and includes Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The need for food donations in the U.S. is great because 40 million Americans—12.5 percent of the population—are unsure where their next meal will come from.
The Miami Valley has 15.8 percent of its population that struggles with hunger, which is higher than the national average.
“The NALC food drive’s timing is crucial. The Foodbank often receives the majority of our donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons,” said Michelle L. Riley, CEO of The Foodbank. “By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.”
To take part in Saturday’s food drive, leave non-perishable food donations in a bag by your mailbox. The letter carrier will collect the items.
The local donations will be delivered to The Foodbank, serving Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties.
The Foodbank relieves hunger in the community through a network of partner agencies by acquiring and distributing food, according to a release.
NALC has more than 280,000 members across the country who represent and are employed by the U.S. Postal Service and includes retired letter carriers. It was founded by Civil War veterans and is one of the country’s oldest labor unions.
For more information about the food drive, contact Davenport of the Foodbank at 937-461-0265 ext. 17, the NALC representative John Oross at 937-252-0891 or the Stamp Out Hunger's website.
About the Author