SIKESTON, Mo. – Stamp Out Hunger returns Saturday, May 10, with local letter carriers collecting food donations for Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
Since its launch in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has become the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping stock food banks across the country. Last year, more than 20,000 pounds of food were collected in southeast Missouri.
“Carriers are looking forward to this year’s food drive,” said Kraig Shafer, NALC food drive coordinator for Branch 1015, which serves several southeast Missouri communities, including Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville, Chaffee, Jackson, Perryville, and Scott City. “We see firsthand the needs in our communities, and we’re hopeful Stamp Out Hunger will make a real difference for those who need it most. We’re counting on our communities to show their generosity.”
The food drive comes at a critical time, as schools let out for summer and many families face additional expenses for child care and providing meals at home.
“Stamp Out Hunger is our largest food drive of the year, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support of letter carriers and our community,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of SEMO Food Bank. “With summer approaching and children out of school, we anticipate an increased need among families. The food collected stays local, making this a simple yet powerful way to help your neighbors.”
Southeast Missouri has some of the highest food insecurity rates in the state. One in five children, one in six families, and one in eight senior citizens face hunger. Food drives like Stamp Out Hunger provide crucial relief and play a key role in the fight against hunger.
To participate in Stamp Out Hunger, place non-perishable food items in a sturdy bag or box next to your mailbox by 8 a.m. Saturday, May 10. On Saturday, May 3, letter carriers will distribute bags sponsored by Edge Realty in some communities. If you don’t receive a bag, any container will work.
Donated items should be non-perishable, unopened, and not expired.
“Some of our most-needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, soups, and shelf-stable proteins like canned chicken, tuna, and peanut butter,” Keys added.
Food will be collected rain or shine. For more information about the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, ask your letter carrier, contact your local post office, visit stampouthungerfooddrive.us, or follow the drive on Facebook at facebook.com/StampOutHunger and Twitter at twitter.com/StampOutHunger.
About Southeast Missouri Food Bank
The mission of Southeast Missouri Food Bank is to end hunger and leverage the power of food to build healthy communities. The food bank provides food to 140 charitable and disaster relief programs in Southeast Missouri. These member agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, domestic violence and homeless shelters. Southeast Missouri Food Bank also holds regular mobile food distributions and provides monthly boxes of food to 5,575 senior citizens and weekend backpacks of food during the school year to more than 1,100 students. The food bank’s 16-county coverage area includes Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard and Wayne counties. Those interested in helping can do so by making a tax-deductible contribution, donating food, or scheduling a time to volunteer. Visit semofoodbank.org fo