Stamp Out Hunger food drive is May 11 this year

Jane Alvarez-Wertz
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The annual nationwide “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive is taking place on May 11 this year.

Every year, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers collect non-perishable food donations residents leave near their mailboxes.

The food donations will go to the Foodbank and local food pantries, which will provide help to community members struggling with hunger.

Through this food drive, letter carriers collect tens of millions of pounds of food in just one day.

10,000 cities and towns across all 50 states, D.C., Guam, US Virgin Islands and Puerto participate in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

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According to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, there are currently 55,000 Virginians across the Greater Peninsula alone who are unsure where they will get their next meal. The Foodbank said this drive will benefit residents in the cities and counties they serve: Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, Mathews, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Surry, James City and York.

The timing of this event is critical. It comes right before the summer months, when there is a heightened demand for food assistance. Many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

The Foodbank released this list of most needed items:

  • Canned protein (tuna or chicken),

  • Peanut Butter and Jelly,

  • Pasta Meals and Sauces,

  • Hearty Meaty Soups,

  • Canned Fruits and Vegetables,

  • Oatmeal,

  • Mac and Cheese

The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank alone provides food assistance to over 152,000 people every year on average.

If you’d like to participate in this year’s Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, all you need to do is leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 11 and your letter carrier will take it from there.

Click here for more information on this year’s drive.

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