This Saturday, May 11, U.S. Postal Service mail carriers will collect donations of canned food and other non-perishable foods from people's doorsteps during the 2024 End Hunger Food Drive.
For more than 30 years, the National Mail Carriers Association has spearheaded this effort as a way to encourage local mail delivery customers to donate bags of food that can be delivered to food banks and pantries across the country. I did. Since its official beginning in 1993, the movement has grown to encompass 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, and provides tens of millions of pounds of food per day. gathered.
“Community letter carriers see first-hand who is in need and who benefits from food donations, so this is something they can do to give back to their communities and end hunger.” “This is one way to do that,” said Juan Muñoz, president of the national association. Letter Carrier (NALC), Branch 1259.
Food insecurity and hunger are widespread across the United States According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 12.8% of U.S. households, or 17 million people, will be food insecure by 2022. Defined as facing uncertainty about having or being able to obtain food. When there is not enough food available at some point in the year, or when there is enough food to meet the needs of the entire family due to lack of money or resources.
According to ERS data, Texas has the second-highest food insecurity rate in the United States at 16% and is in the top 10 states with very low food security, with people facing food insecurity. It has also been shown that they self-report. Not eating enough. According to the Coastal Bend Food Bank, 1 in 8 people and 1 in 5 children in Texas face hunger. Access to healthy food sources varies greatly depending on where people live.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a great way for people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds to donate canned goods, pasta, and cereal to local pantries and food banks for distribution throughout the community during times of food scarcity. This is an opportunity. There is a shortage of agents, Muñoz said.
To participate in this activity, place a non-perishable food donation in a non-perishable bag near your mailbox or on your doorstep during the time when mail carriers normally deliver your mail. Although Saturday is the main donation day, NALC continues to collect donations the following day along the routes truckers drive their trucks and throughout the week. Donations are also accepted at post offices.
Postal workers will also be supporting the food drive by delivering postcards and promotional bags ahead of the scheduled pickup on May 11th.
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