Mail carriers collecting food donations for Stamp Out Hunger May 12

EPHRATA – Residents can help “Stamp Out Hunger” Saturday, May 12 as the National Association of Letter Carriers hold their 26^th annual food drive.

“Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from our customers,” said Tina Kunjara. “These donations go directly to the local food bank to provide food to people in Moses Lake who need help.”

People can leave non-perishable food items in bags next to their mailbox to be collected on May 12, or drop off donations at any post office.

Last year, more than 75 million pounds of food was collected nationwide, feeding an estimated 64 million people.

“Over the course of its 25-year history, the drive has collected well over 1.6 billion pounds of food, thanks to the postal service universal delivery network that spans the entire nation,” Kunjara said. “Our food drive’s timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.”