Helping feed the hungry is as easy as mailing a letter...from the comfort of your own home. On Saturday, May 13, letter carriers will be picking up non-perishable food on their routes as part of the 24th Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.
“This is the largest one-day food drive in the country,” Jack Curran , Norwood, Vice-President of Local 742 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO) and Food Drive Coordinator said. “Last year in Norwood and Westwood alone, our members collected over 16,000 pounds of food – about eight tons – to help the hundreds of families here who are struggling with hunger. And this year, we’re hoping to do even better.”
On this day, when Norwood residents leave marked bags of non-perishable food by their mailbox in the morning, mail carriers will pick up the packages during their regular route and take them to a central sorting location.
“All types of non-perishable food – from peanut butter and jelly to soup and cereal…canned vegetables and tomatoes to cake and brownie mix…baked beans to boxed meals like Hamburger Helper and Pasta Roni – are welcome," Bill Discepolo, Stock and Rotation Manager at the Norwood pantry said. “But right now, we especially need Spam, beef stew, solid white tuna, and other canned meat; canned fruit and bottled juice; and canned pasta like Chef Boyardee. The only requirement is that all cans and boxes must be new and in good condition. Anything outdated or opened has to be thrown away for health reasons.”
Norwood is one of 10,000 cities and towns across America taking part in the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. The national effort began in 1992 and letter carriers, represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers, postal employees, volunteers, and sponsoring organizations, have delivered 1.4 billion pounds of donated food to regional food banks and local food pantries, including almost 71 million pounds in 2015.
“We’re proud to be part of this powerful effort to help our neighbors in need,” Curran said. Right now, one out of every seven Americans is not sure where their next meal is coming from – and one out of every five children. There are seniors and veterans right here in town who have to choose between paying their rent and utilities and buying food. We see the need every day on our routes, and we feel this is a great way to lend a hand.”
“The Letter Carriers’ Drive is probably the single most important day of the year for us,” Claudia Mackey, one of the pantry’s two recently elected Assistant Executive Directors, said. “We depend on it to get through the lean summer months when donations always dip because people are busy or away on vacation – and into the fall.
“The people of Norwood have always responded to the Letter Carriers’ Drive with a huge outpouring of generosity,” Assistant Executive Director Nancy Maier added. “And we thank each and every one of you – carriers and donors alike – for caring and sharing.”
Any donation, large or small is greatly appreciated. So look through your pantry or pick up a few items at the grocery store and place them in a marked bag by the mailbox the morning of Saturday, May 13. Let's beat last year's impressive contributions!
Pictured: Jack Curran, Food Drive Coordinator, celebrates the success of a previous drive with An Long and Mike Whitehead.
Issue Date:
May, 2017
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