For more than 30 years, food banks across the United States have partnered with the National Association of Letter Carriers and the United States Postal Service for the spring drive to Stamp Out Hunger in our communities. The annual action takes place the second Saturday in May (May 11, 2024) as letter carriers in our area collect financial contributions and non-perishable food donations to the Food Bank, along with regular mail pick-up and drop-off. Donations can also be made securely online.
Combined, the effort will raise sufficient donations to fuel thousands of meals for area families — and support community-level organizing to help end hunger at its roots. All food and funds collected stay right here in local communities, shared across the Food Bank Network’s 700+ no-cost food markets, pantries, meal sites, and delivery programs.
“Between the rising cost of living and cuts to federal support, our network has seen a sharp rise in demand for food assistance over the past year. That’s why this partnership with our local letter carriers and community supporters is so important — and it’s going to take all of us working together to meet these challenges head-on.” – Food Bank President & CEO Ashley McCumber
This year’s Stamp Out Hunger event comes as more than 600,000 children, adults and seniors throughout central and eastern North Carolina don’t know where their next meal might come from. Partner agencies across the Food Bank Network report seeing demand for food assistance rise as much as 60% over the past year, as families struggle to make ends meet in the face of increased food and housing costs, coupled with the sunset of emergency supports tied to pandemic-era government funding. This on-the-ground experience tracks with USDA research that shows American communities have faced the largest year-over-year increase in food insecurity since 2008, at the peak of the Great Recession.
HOW TO DONATE
On Saturday, May 11, neighbors can simply set their non-perishable food donation next to the mailbox — or place an envelope inside with their financial contribution. Letter Carriers will bring donations back to postal branches where Food Bank volunteers will be on-site throughout the day to unload the postal trucks.
Donations can also be made securely online at any time — and all contributions of food and funds support local efforts to end hunger and its root causes.
MOST NEEDED ITEMS THIS YEAR
For every dollar donated, the food bank can purchase enough food to support five meals. For non-perishable donations, the following foods are currently in high demand:
- Pantry Staples: Rice, Masa, Pasta, Dried Beans, Lentils, and Spices
- Canned Meals & Ingredients: Soups, Stews and Protein (Chicken, Salmon, Tuna, etc.)
- Breakfast Items: Peanut Butter, Cereal, etc.
- Hygiene Items: Toothpaste, Soap, Diapers, Wipes, etc.
