For the 25th consecutive year, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will team up to collect donations on Saturday, May 13 for the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive. This is Southern Arizona’s largest single-day food drive.
“With our community’s help, we collected over 255,000 pounds of food last year,” said Michael McDonald, CEO of the Community Food Bank. “This year, our goal is to reach 300,000 pounds. This food will be such a blessing to families in need this summer, a particularly challenging time when utility costs rise and additional food is needed for kids who are out of school.”
Residents are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food next to their mail box prior to mail delivery on Saturday, May 13. Letter carriers will collect the food donations and Food Bank staff and volunteers will sort, pack, and deliver the donations to the Food Bank’s main warehouse. Most needed items include canned soups, meats, vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, cereal, pasta, beans and rice. Residents are asked not to donate anything in glass containers, items that will melt or perish in the heat, or any nonfood items, including soda and beverages.
Tucson Electric Power will once again provide the bags for the food drive. “We have supported this important event for many years with both funding and volunteers,” said Dave Hutchens, TEP president and CEO. “This year it is especially powerful because both organizations are celebrating milestone anniversaries — USPS with 25 years and TEP with 125 years. It’s a perfect partnership.”
“We are extremely excited to partner once again with the Community Food Bank for our 25th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive,” said Dan Versluis, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 704. “Letter Carriers and the CFB, along with many other volunteers, have made a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families in our community. We are confident that our 25th year will be a huge success.”
The Community Food Bank also accepts monetary donations. Every $1 donated provides four meals for families in need. Gifts can be made online at www.communityfoodbank.org/Stamp-Out-Hunger.
