May 9: Letter Carriers Rally Community to Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ in North Carolina

Annual day of action gathers non-perishable food and funds to combat rising food insecurity.

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 on the second Saturday in May (May 9, 2026) 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.

View Most Needed Items Give to the Virtual Food Drive

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 and cuts to federal hunger relief programs.

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.

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.
– Carter Crain, Food Bank Vice President of Food Procurement

2026 Stamp Out Hunger Communities

Letter carriers are ready to pick up donations Saturday, May 9, across more than two dozen communities in the Triangle. Check out participating locations below — and scroll a bit further to explore ways to get involved.

Franklin County

Franklinton (27525)
Youngsville (27596)

Harnett County

Dunn (28334)

Johnston County

Benson (27504)
Clayton (27520)
Selma 27576)
Smithfield (27579)

Wake County

Apex (27502)
Cary (27511)
Fuquay Varina (27526)
Garner (27529)
Holly Springs (27540)
Knightdale (27545)
Morrisville (27560)
Raleigh - Brentwood (27604)
Raleigh - Capitol (27601)
Raleigh - Hilburn (27613)
Raleigh - Northridge (27615)
Raleigh - South Raleigh (27606)
Raleigh - Sunnybrook (27610)
Raleigh - Westgate (27676)
Rolesville (27571)
Wake Forest (27587)
Wendell (27591)
Zebulon (27597)

Three Ways to Stamp Out Hunger This Year

1. Donate Food for Pick-up

On Saturday, May 9, set your set non-perishable food donation next to your mailbox. Letter Carriers will pick up your donation on their regular route and bring it back to postal branches. Food Bank network volunteers will be on-site throughout the day to unload postal trucks and deliver food to local pantries and no-cost markets.

The following items 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, Jam, Cereal, etc.
Hygiene Items: Toothpaste, Soap, Diapers, Wipes, etc.

Full List of Most-Needed Items

2. Donate Funds for Pick-up

On Saturday, May 9, seal your contribution in an envelope marked "Stamp Out Hunger" and place inside your mail box. Letter Carriers will bring donations back to postal branches where Food Bank team members will be collect in a secure box and prepare deposit.

Checks should be made payable to:
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

All contributions support local efforts to end hunger and its root causes — and every $10 donated provides 30 meals for families in our area!

3. Donate Securely Online

Even in today’s challenging economy, your gift goes further with the Food Bank network than anywhere else. Working with local farmers, retailers, and manufacturers, we source and distribute truckloads of fresh, versatile, and culturally familiar food. Thanks to this scale and longstanding partnerships, we’re able to stretch every dollar far beyond what any individual shopper could at the grocery store.

Give online anytime between now and May 9 to help Stamp Out Hunger in 2026!

Give to the Virtual Food Drive

Don't have a participating Post Office in your area? You can still have an impact!

Right now, one out of every seven neighbors we run into at the grocery store, doctor's office, or out pumping gas doesn't know where their next meal might come from. No matter where you live, you can make a difference for local families.

Help 'Stamp Out Hunger' in Central and Eastern North Carolina

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