NALC 2o12 FOOD DRIVE
NALC branches throughout the country have their sights set this year on another successful Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive effort on Saturday, May 12—the country’s largest single-day drive to help needy families fight hunger in America.
The need for food assistance has never been greater. According to the Agriculture Department, in 2009 the number of Americans living in so-called “food insecure” homes topped 50 million. Of those, 17.2 million are children.
Hundreds of NALC branches already are registered to participate in the 2012 drive. Any branch that has not yet registered should do so as soon as possible.
“Millions of Americans depend on the food we collect to help carry them through the summer months,” NALC President Fredric V. Rolando said. “I urge every NALC branch and member—active and retired—to begin immediately to work with local officials in preparing for the food drive.”
The drive has become so successful over the years in more than 10,000 cities and towns that it is now part of the fabric of fighting hunger in America. Food banks literally circle the second Saturday in May on their calendars, knowing that carriers will again fill their shelves—shelves that, by then, will be depleted of holiday-time donations.
Many large branches boost collections by delivering customers donated plastic and paper bags.
NALC Community Services Coordinator Linda Giordano is again directing this year’s drive.
The national drive, which began with a pilot program in 1991, is held each year on the second Saturday in May—which this year falls on May 12.
USPS Statement
The 20th Annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 12.
The Postal Service is asking customers to place a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods next to their mailbox prior to regular mail delivery. Postal employees and volunteers will collect all donations and deliver them to community food banks, pantries and shelters.
This year, some customers will receive paper bags for food donations provided by AARP, Campbell’s Soup and International Paper. Cities with locations that have a greater need for food, or the ability to provide a greater amount of food to local food banks and pantries, were selected by the food drive sponsors. Bag distribution will continue through March.
Letter and rural carriers throughout the country have collected more than 70 million pounds of food for eight consecutive years.