The National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association will be partners with Loaves & Fishes Community Services during the 31st Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Each year, residents are encouraged to place healthy, unexpired, non-perishable items in bags next to their mailboxes Saturday, May 13, for collection by postal carriers and Loaves & Fishes volunteers.
Last year, the Naperville Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected more than 41,000 pounds to support families who visit Loaves & Fishes for grocery assistance. This year, given the significant increase in need for food, they are looking to increase that number significantly.
With the Nation experiencing a significant rise in the price of food and other basic necessities, the need for assistance continues to grow at a rapid pace. Loaves & Fishes serves nearly 8,000 visitors a week, which is more than double the number since the beginning of last year.
“The increase in need for food has been dramatic over the past year and the food supply has not come close to keeping up with the demand. We are having to purchase triple the amount of food that we buy,” said Mike Havala, president and CEO of Loaves & Fishes.
“We appreciate the work of the National Association of Letter Carriers, the United States Postal Service, and the support of our entire community, as it is critical for us to get food donated to help keep pace with the big increase in need.”
Loaves & Fishes is asking for help by encouraging the public to participate in the upcoming Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, or they can donate directly to the Virtual Food Drive at loaves-fishes.org.
For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit loaves-fishes.org, or The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) website, nalc.org/community-service/food-drive.
—Loaves and Fishes Community Services