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On May 12, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct their 20th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by collecting non-perishable food items donated by patrons along their routes. Their effort, the largest single-day food drive in the United States, provides an opportunity for letter carriers and other postal workers to join with volunteers in serving their communities and addressing a vital need.

Even in the United States, demand for food assistance is great. NALC President Fred Rolando put the food drive into context, saying, "Sixteen percent of all Americans are at risk of hunger—uncertain where their next meal may be coming from. That includes 1 in 5 children under the age of 18, plus 4 million seniors who are forced every day to choose between paying a utility bill and buying food."



To encourage participation from postal patrons, letter carriers and their food drive partners have sent more than 75 million reminder postcards and have filled the airwaves with ads publicizing the event.



The AFL-CIO is also helping to promote the food drive. President Rich Trumka encouraged the federation's affiliates, state federations and central labor councils to join hands with NALC to Stamp Out Hunger. He said, "“With America still reeling with devastating unemployment, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at a critical time. With the support of unions all across America, the NALC can set a record in collections, helping those who have lost their jobs in this economy and the millions more facing economic uncertainty.”



Last year, the food drive brought in more than 70 million pounds of food to local pantries. Since its beginning, letter carriers have delivered more than 1.1 billion pounds of food to the nation's hungry families.



For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit the food drive webpage here, see NALC's web page here, or follow the Food Drive on Twitter @StampOutHunger.