AMARILLO, TEXAS -- On Saturday, May 9, Texas Panhandle letter carriers will again help Stamp Out Hunger! ™ across America with your help in order to provide assistance to the one in eight Americans who struggle with hunger.
The Stamp Out Hunger! effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive, having collected more than 909 million pounds of food since its inception in 1993. Last year, letter carriers across the country collected a record total of more than 73.1 million pounds of food, but with hunger impacting many Americans- including working families, children and the elderly - help is needed now more than ever before.
The local branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) #1037 will be collecting food in Amarillo, Canyon, Dimmitt, Dumas, Friona, Hereford, Shamrock and Tulia.
Supporting the drive again this year are Campbell Soup Company, the U.S. Postal Service, Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network), Valpak, the AFL-CIO and United Way of America.
To help Stamp Out Hunger! in the Texas Panhandle this year, simply leave a sturdy bag(s) containing non-perishable foods - such as canned vegetables, boxed dinners (such as macaroni & cheese, Hamburger Helper, cereal), rice, pinto beans, paper goods (such as paper towels, toilet paper) and personal hygiene items (such as shampoo, body soap, toothbrushes) - by your mailbox before 8 a.m. on May 9.
**Please no glass or breakable food items**
Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. Local letter carriers will be collecting donations from homes across the city and delivering them to The High Plains Food Bank.
**Look for your special post card reminder from the Post Office in your mailbox between May 6-8!**
"In these difficult economic times, hunger is an issue that must be addressed in every community across our country," said William H. Young, NALC president. "We see it daily out on our routes. That's why now more than ever before we need everybody's help to make a real difference."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 36 million Americans live in food insecure households, and approximately one in every three of these Americans is a child. Additionally, a recent survey conducted of Feeding America food bank members reported a 30 percent increase in requests for emergency food assistance. The reasons cited for this dramatic increase in demand included rising cost of food, increasing unemployment and underemployment, the cost of fuel and the burden of mortgage or rent costs.
Food banks are also notoriously empty during summer months, having exhausted the supply of donations received from food drives conducted during the holidays that are then distributed during spring. Summer donations are even more critical since many children in need no longer have the benefit of their school lunch program.
"When schools let out for summer, many children will no longer receive daily meals through the National School Lunch Program," said David Arquette, chairman of Feeding America's Entertainment Council. "Please join me, my wife Courteney and millions of other generous Americans on Saturday, May 9th by placing a food donation next to your mailbox for the Letter Carrier's Food Drive to help Stamp Out Hunger! Your contribution will benefit the food bank members of Feeding America as well as other hunger relief organizations across the country."
GETTING INVOLVED
As part of its support for the drive, Campbell will donate one million pounds of food to food banks across the country and is sponsoring a reminder postcard mailing sent to 120 million homes.
"Our corporate mission is to nourish people's lives everywhere, every day," said Sean Connolly, President, Campbell USA.
"Campbell's ongoing commitment to the letter carriers' food drive allows our company to make a meaningful contribution towards resolving the critical issue of hunger that continues to impact nearly every community in America. I hope millions of Americans will join us once again on May 9 to help Stamp Out Hunger! as the need is greater than ever."
If you missed your letter carrier or your food donation was not picked up, you can take it to one of the following Post Office locations in Amarillo and drop them in the "High Plains Food Bank" collection barrels:
Main Station: 2301 Ross St (Across from Sam's Warehouse)
Lone Star Station: 5000 S Western St
Jordan Station: 8301 W Amarillo Blvd (west of United Artists - Star 14 theatre)
So far in 2009, many people are experiencing hardships due to the loss of a job, the rising cost of living and/or a dramatic, life-changing event. On average, the High Plains Food Bank receives 5-10 calls each day from people and families needing assistance. Since the beginning of 2009, the food bank has seen a 25 percent increase in demand from the Texas Panhandle. Even though we are in tough time economically, we need help us above and beyond the level of years past.
The High Plains Food Bank needs you to support this food drive. If you have never given in the past, now is the time. The need is too great and the cost of inaction is too high. Please help us during the 2009 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger! effort in Amarillo, ask your letter carrier, contact the post office or visit http://www.helpstampouthunger.com
