Postal Carriers Food Drive Set For Saturday

The National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) will hold its 12th annual “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive” on Saturday, May 8. Nearly 229,000 letter carriers are preparing for the nation’s largest one-day food drive in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America.

Residents are asked to leave nonperishable food next to their mailboxes by 9 am on Saturday. The food will be donated to the FAITH Food Pantry at St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook and the Salvation Army Food Pantry at the town’s Social Services Department in Town Hall South.

Since the NALC food drive began in 1993, letter carriers and other postal service employees have collected and delivered 587 million pounds of food to help feed America’s hungry. The US Postal Service and Campbell Soup Company once again are partnering to produce and mail 105 million postcards during the week of May 3 to encourage Americans to participate.

“Many of the recipients are from working families — people who just need a helping hand to get through some tough times,” said NALC President William H. Young. “In the 2003 drive, letter carriers collected more than 61 million pounds of donations, an incredible result. This year we are determined to go even higher.”

Food also is being collected at the Newtown, Botsford, and Hawleyville post offices.

“Campbell Soup Company is proud to again support the National Association of Letter Carriers in your effort to Stamp Out Hunger,” said Campbell Soup Company President and CEO Douglas R. Conant. “This colossal effort by your organization truly touches every American, including our employees, families, and friends.”

Longtime supporters of the drive include Campbell Soup Company, America’s Second Harvest, United Way, and the AFL-CIO Community Services Network. Valpak Direct Marketing Systems joins the drive this year.