26th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday

Letter carriers from Martin, Eastanollee and Toccoa will be joining thousands of volunteers and other letter carriers on Saturday, May 12, to help millions of struggling families throughout the United States through the 26th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

After 26 years, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has become the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

Last year, 75 million pounds of food was collected, nationally, feeding millions of people.

According to Letter Carrier Michael Waddell, from the Toccoa Post Office, during last year’s food drive, here locally, they collected 20,615 pounds of non-perishable food items.

“We ask that on Saturday, May 12th that postal customers place non-perishable food items in or at the mailbox. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Toccoa, Martin, or Eastanollee Post offices,” Waddell said.

Waddell added that this year’s drive could be the seventh straight year that Stephens County has surpassed 10,000 pounds of food.

However, Waddell is hoping for more.

They currently have a goal of exceeding 20,000 pounds this year.

Waddell told WNEG News about the items they look to collect.

“Non-perishable food items that are requested are canned protein items such as tuna, chicken, turkey, beans; also canned fruits and vegetables, 100 percent fruit juice, dried fruit; whole grains such as cereal, pasta, oatmeal, rice, crackers; other items needed are peanut butter, canned soups and stews; also baby products, such as formula, baby food, diapers and wipes are needed,” he said.

Again, this Saturday, the community is encouraged to participate in helping their letter carriers reach their goal.

Waddell expressed gratitude for the community’s efforts in contributing to the food drive.

“I would like to thank the whole community for their participation over the years and I hope that they will help out again this year with the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, Saturday, May 12,” he said.

For questions regarding the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive contact your local post office.