This diary is not really mine because I snagged 99% of the information from ellinorianne's earlier diary which is falling off the list.
Two things bother me more than anything in our country today. First, I cannot fathom why we have so many homeless people, one in four of whom is a US veteran.
Second, I am horrified that in the United States any child, or adult for that matter, has to go hungry. Hungry children can't learn very well, their bodies are in too much turmoil and their little heads are stressing out because their family can't afford food.
Won't you help?
WORD FOR WORD ELLINORIANNE'S DIARY (with all respect to her)
Yes, that's tomorrow today and I thought it was important to remind you about the National Association of Letter Carriers 'Stamp out Hunger' Food Drive. It's an annual event that's very easy to participate in, all you have to do is leave your non-perishable donations near your mailbox and your letter carrier will collect it and it will be delivered to your local food bank.
NALC announced that the nation’s largest food drive to combat hunger will be conducted this year on Saturday, May 9. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
The 17th annual NALC National Food Drive to "Stamp Out Hunger" is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Carriers collected a record 73.1 million pounds of food in last year’s drive. The drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
It's the easiest way for you to directly impact the lives of families that are struggling to make ends meet. It's so important that even if you can't give much, that you give something. I plan on cleaning out my pantry with items that are still within their packaging dates and give what I can to this very good cause. We can make a difference and make this the best food drive ever.
NALC President William H. Young emphasized that as successful as the food drive has been in the past, it simply must be even better this year.
"Millions and millions of families are suffering – struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table," Young said. "More than ever food banks, pantries and shelters need our help this year. As families count on them for support, they’re counting on us and we must not back off on our commitment."
Young also noted that donations are particularly critical at this time since most school lunch programs are suspended during the summer months and millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.
Here is a comprehensive list of foods that are best for donating (no glass, please)...
Fruit & Vegetable Group
Choose canned or dry
fruits and vegetables in an
array of colors to ensure
consumption of a variety
of vitamins and minerals.
• Canned vegetables
• Vegetable juice
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato juice
• Tomato sauce
• Spaghetti sauce
• Canned fruit
(in its own juice)
• Fruit juice (100%)
• Dried fruit
• Shelf-stable fruit cups
Grain Group
Choose non-perishable
whole grains as often as
you can for maximum
nutritional value.
• Oatmeal
• Whole grain crackers
• All types of pasta
• Low sugar / high fiber
cereal (Cheerios®,
Raisin Bran®, etc.)
• Cream Of Wheat®
• Whole grain rice
Protein Group
Choose canned lean meats
as a good source of lowfat
protein and canned
or dry beans as a good
source of fiber.
• Canned tuna fish
• Canned salmon
• Canned chicken
• Canned bean soup
• Canned baked beans
• Dried and canned
beans and peas
• Canned chili
• Canned beef stew
• Peanut butter
• Nuts
Milk Group
Choose shelf-stable
low-fat dairy products
fortified with vitamin D.
• Dry milk
• Evaporated milk
• Boxed shelf-stable milk
Thanks to chrome327 for the reminder about pet food.
Here is the official Help Stamp Out Hungerr website with more information.
Join me on Saturday, May 9th for Stamp Out Hunger™ — the nation's largest annual single-day food drive! The more people who help, the more successful we'll be, so forward this to your friends, too.
To learn more, tell a friend or download materials to promote this cause, visit: HelpStampOutHunger.com
ABOUT STAMP OUT HUNGER
On Saturday, May 9th, letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks to help some of the millions of Americans, including an estimated 13 million children, who face hunger every day.
Since 1993, families have donated more than a half-billion pounds of food to Stamp Out Hunger. You can help make this year our most successful ever.
Simply place bags filled with nonperishable food items like canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 9th. *
Your letter carrier will pick up the bags and deliver them to your local food bank.
So please consider joining me and my family in helping stamp out hunger and donate what you can. It's never been easier and tomorrow today is the one day you can step out to your mailbox and help feed someone who is desperately hungry!
You can find out if your local post office is participating by calling them in the morning, locate your office here.
THANK YOU ELLINORIANNE FOR THIS INFORMATION!
Thanks also to Crashing Vor who also diaried this yesterday. h/t to heart of quince.