It’s that time of year when kind individuals, such as yourselves, can help the less fortunate in our area. How? By leaving non-perishable food by your mailbox or on your porch, to be picked up by you local letter carriers or their helpers, on Saturday, May 12.

Each year for the past 25 years, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, deliver mail and pick up food left by their postal patrons. Last year, nationally, over 75 million pounds of food was picked up and eventually delivered to local pantries, shelters and food banks that helped local needy individuals.

This yearly venture, known as “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, is the biggest one day food drive in this country. According to Postmaster General, CEO, Megan Brennan, “The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at an especially important time for our country’s school children and their families. Planning the collection on May 12, ahead of the summer months, will enable communities to provide timely assistance to millions who rely on school lunch programs the rest of the year.”  

So you see, you can make a difference. All you need to do is to inspect your cupboards and donate non-perishable food that is NOT outdated and place it near you mailbox or on your porch, by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, and your postal carrier, or helper, will do the rest. 

Thank you in advance and, together, we can make a difference in someone’s life.

Gerry Payette

U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, retired