Letter Carriers Collected Record 73.1 Million Pounds of Food

by Mike Hall, Jun 4, 2008

The nation’s postal customers responded with extraordinary generosity this year, donating a record 73.1 million pounds of food in the Letter Carriers’ (NALC’s) 16th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.

Letter carriers, on May 10, picked up the donations left at mailboxes in more than 10,000 communities. The food was delivered to local food banks, pantries and shelters to help needy families in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions.

Since 1993, the NALC food drive has collected 909 million pounds of food to help feed hungry families.

Says NALC President William Young:

It is heartwarming that in these difficult times, when all families are feeling the effects of high food and gasoline prices, that so many Americans put aside their own financial concerns to help others facing hard times. They should be applauded for their generosity toward millions of needy Americans—including many working families, children and the elderly.

Many food banks are reporting that the nation’s sour economy has caused a decline in donations at the same time more and more families are turning to food banks for help. In addition, the annual food drive comes at a critical time for many families relying on school meal programs to make sure their children receive proper nutrition. With schools out for the summer, those meal programs will be suspended until September.

Along with collecting the donations during their regular mail deliveries, thousands of NALC members and others volunteered their time. Says Young:

I want to thank all those Letter Carriers, other postal employees and volunteers who spent a long, hard day—and in many cases several days—handling the generous donations of their postal customers. This is volunteerism at its highest level, when hard-working men and women sacrifice their time and energy to give a helping hand to others in their communities.

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