Letter Carrier Food Drive Collects 71 Million Lbs

The Letter Carriers’ 25th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, the largest one-day annual food drive in the U.S., collected 71.1 million pounds of food, the third-highest total ever.  NALC, its members, its union allies including SMART and its customers, contributed the food, which was immediately distributed to local religious institutions, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, pantries and other enterprises that feed the hungry, the union pointed out.
“At least six days a week, Letter Carriers see firsthand the needs of the communities they work in, and we’re privileged to be able to help those in need while leading an effort that brings out the best in so many Americans,” Rolando said.
Both Letter Carriers and recipient institutions noticed the impact. Asheboro, N.C., Branch 2560 carrier Wyatt Thompson reminded The Courier-Tribune that carriers collected the food that Saturday even as they also delivered mail and packages.
“Letter Carriers witness daily the desperation of patrons who are suffering and they always respond. It is definitely the most demanding day of the year for all carriers,” he wrote.