Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ from your mailbox on Saturday

Carina Branson
·2 min read
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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – This Saturday, you can help feed families in need right from your mailbox.

Every year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect donations of non-perishable food items on their routes in order to benefit local food pantries.

“Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States,” reads the NALC website.

Last year, local branches collected over 99,000 pounds of food, according to the Kansas Food Bank.

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All you have to do to participate is fill a bag with non-perishable foods and leave it near your mailbox or parcel box on Saturday. No glass containers.

The Kansas Food Bank provided a list of the most needed items:

  • Canned fruits and vegetables

  • Peanut butter and canned beans

  • Tuna or other canned meats

  • Meals in a can (soup, stew, and/or chili)

Some people may have already received a blue plastic bag in the mail from the Kansas Food Bank with the same instructions:

Brian Walker, the President and CEO of Kansas Food Bank, said this helps local pantries prepare for the summer.

“As we roll into summertime … kids will not be receiving the food they may receive at school. Breakfast and lunch. And so this helps us get our pantry stocked up for folks that visit the pantries because their children wouldn’t be getting those meals at school. And then, just as during the summertime, people don’t think about hunger as much as they say in the fall and the hospital season. So it just gives us that extra boost to give us what we need,” said Walker.

Those who do not have a traditional mailbox or a mail slot on their house can participate.

“Individuals who live in an apartment complex or who have cluster boxes can participate if the branch in their area is signed on to participate. Some Post Office locations with P.O. Boxes will also accept donations but the customer should confirm with the Post Office prior to bringing donations in: https://tools.usps.com/locations/home.htm,” said the NALC.

For those who would like to participate virtually, every $1 will help provide up to four meals for food-insecure Kansans. Click here to donate.

For more information from the Kansas Food Bank, click here.

For more information from the NALC, click here.

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