USPS Collecting Food to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ on May 13

The U.S. Postal Service will be collecting food donations throughout Hawai‘i on Saturday, May 13, in an effort to “Stamp Out Hunger.” Hawai‘i Island residents can donate food items at their mail boxes.

The food drive is part of the 25th annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger. More than 175,000 mail carriers nationwide will participate in the effort.

Residents are urged to place non-perishable food items next to their mailboxes for pickup on May 13 before their usual mail pickup time. The most desired food donations include: canned meats or tuna, canned meals such as chili, stew or spaghetti, canned soups, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Items will be collected by mail carriers and sorted by postal employees and volunteers for delivery to the nearest community food bank. Post Offices without residential delivery will be collecting items during the days leading up to May 13.

“Last year we collected more than 262 tons of food in our statewide food drive,” said Adele Yoshikawa, Pearl City Carrier and NALC Food Drive spokesperson. “Our goal in Hawai‘i is to top last year’s totals, but we’ll be happy to collect any amount of food. We ask that our customers, friends and families help us ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ by supporting this drive.”

The Post Service has delivered post cards and plastic food donation bags promoting the food drive across Hawai‘i as a reminder to residents to participate. In addition, food drive reminder fliers will be distributed to students at more than 400 public, private and charter schools statewide.