The 21st annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive will be Saturday.
To participate in the nation’s largest, one-day food drive, residents are encouraged to leave a bag containing non-perishable food, such as canned pasta, tuna, peanut butter, dry beans or rice, next to their mailbox prior to the time of their regular mail delivery on Saturday. Greater Chattanooga’s letter carriers will collect these food donations as they deliver the mail and will take the donations to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
During the summer months, the Food Bank’s pantries run low because donations are down. According to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, one in six people in the Chattanooga area are unsure where their next meal will come from. The food and funds raised through this event will also help feed the one in four children in the area who are faced with the prospect of hunger.
The Food Bank is also accepting Stamp Out Hunger donations this year along with donated canned food items. The Food Bank has 10 times the buying power of an individual buying at retail prices, so monetary donations can go even farther.
“This is the second largest food drive of the year for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and we depend on the generosity of the community each time to make it a success,” says Maeghan Jones, president of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. “I will be placing my bag of donated items by my mailbox on Saturday as a sign to all my neighbors that it’s Stamp Out Hunger time once again and I hope others will do the same.”
Last May the letter carriers collected 70.7 million pounds of food nationally, the ninth consecutive food drive surpassing 70 million pounds. More than 40,000 pounds of food was collected for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and its 20 county service area. This year, the Food Bank has a goal of 100,000 pounds.
Linda McReynolds, vice president of Development at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is thankful for the support of the community. “We are grateful for the generosity of our letter carriers who take the extra time in collecting the food and to our community members for donating the product. Your support of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive does more than provide meals to those in need, you help provide nourishment for a healthier life and hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
For more information visit www.chattfoodbank.org or call 622-1800. Follow the drive at www.facebook.com/StampOutHunger and www.twitter.com/StampOutHunger.