Help USPS ‘Stamp Out Hunger’

Mail carriers on the Big Island and throughout the country will be collecting food donations in the United States Postal Service’s efforts to “Stamp Out Hunger” as part of the 23^rd annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.

The Saturday, May 9 collection is one of the largest one-day efforts in the United States to fight hunger and support the mission of community food banks, like The Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s Food Bank.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, more than 175,000 mail carriers across the nation will participate in Saturday’s food drive.

In 2014, more than 62,000 pounds of food were collected on the Big Island, with the Hilo Post Office leading the way with over 33,000 pounds collected.

Across the country in 2014, nearly 73 million pounds of food were collected, and over 1.3 billion pounds have been collected in the campaign’s 22 years history.

Those interested in donating non-perishable food items can leave them near their mailbox for pickup during their usual mail pickup time. The donations will be transported back to their post offices, where postal employees and their families will sort the food and deliver it to community food banks.

“The NALC Food Drive is a big help because it always results in a lot of canned protein items, which are our ‘Most Wanted’ items,” said Mike Kajiwara, Hawai’i Foodbank Director of Product Donations. Kajiwara listed the following as the most desired food donations: canned meats or tuna, canned meals such as chili, stew or spaghetti, canned soups, and canned fruits and vegetables.