38 Million Americans

Right now, this very minute, 38 Million Americans are not sure where their next meal will come from.  A tenth of the population of the world's richest nation faces food insecurity every day. For these people, food banks may be their only recourse.  As the summer season approaches, stocks in America's food pantries and soup kitchens begin to dwindle as they use up donations from holiday food drives.  Help feed hungry people in your community - learn how on the flip.

Each year, on the Saturday before Mother's Day, America's mail carriers work to Stamp Out Hunger.  I'll be one of tens of thousands of letter carriers nationwide trying to beat last years total of over 71 million pounds of food collected for local food banks.  I'm counting on you to  make sure that my colleagues and I go home very tired tomorrow night!

Letter carriers across the country will collect non-perishable food donations Saturday (May 13) as they deliver mail along their postal routes in the nation's largest one-day effort to combat hunger in America.  
Donations from postal customers will be collected in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the District of Columbia.
Residents are being asked to leave non-perishable food donations - such as canned meat, fish and soup, and cereals, pasta and rice - in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday before their letter carrier arrives.

•  I've never heard of this before

  I printed a copy to put with my bag -- just in case my postman has never heard of it either.  Thanks.

  by jlynne on Fri May 12, 2006 at 06:49:39 PM PDT

  •  My thanks to you

    It's the best thing we do, and I'm glad to be part of this effort.  We delivered post cards to all the residents in our area alerting them to the food drive.  I'm not sure why you would not have received one if you live in the US.

    by Jesus was a Liberal on Fri May 12, 2006 at 06:52:48 PM PDT

    •  Technically in the U.S.

      but out here in the "Wild West" - things are a bit weird.

      by jlynne on Fri May 12, 2006 at 06:55:00 PM PDT

•  that's really cool...

  ...y'all picking up food as you deliver the mail, and all.

  REALLY cool.

  Thank you for this post. Cheers.

  by luckydog on Fri May 12, 2006 at 06:50:36 PM PDT

•  Bless You

  Too bad I'm single and don't keep much food in the pantry....I did manage to pull together two cans of chicken, chicken noodle soup, refried beans and a box of pasta.  Have it right be the door so I don't forget tomorrow.

  by LibChicAZ on Fri May 12, 2006 at 07:10:01 PM PDT

•  I forgot!

  Thanks for the reminder!

  (You're going to need Ben-gay)

  by teresab on Fri May 12, 2006 at 07:47:08 PM PDT

  •  I was just about to post a thanks too

    We do this every time they do it, but I am leaving on a business trip on Sunday and almost forgot. Going to the pantry right now! Good luck tomorrow!

    by melthewriter on Fri May 12, 2006 at 08:06:11 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the post!

  I didn't know either and will be placing some items for pick up!

  by ejbr on Fri May 12, 2006 at 08:37:59 PM PDT