Are You Ready to Give?

Get ready! Get ready! For the “Stamp out Hunger” Food Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024. Throughout the history of the “Stamp out Hunger” Food Drive, both the NALC and the Postal Service expressed through media advertisement their strong commitment for this cause. Millions of families throughout its history have benefited from the single largest food drive ever conducted. Letter carriers of the NALC across the nation as well as the Postal Service were recognized for their joint effort to stamp out hunger. As we have in the years past, we reached out to the District Manager to obtain his support. However, apparently the promised support expressed by the Postmaster General has not made its way through the channels. As of the writing of this article, the District Manager has not responded to the Union but that will not change or stop anything.

While the Union cannot force the Postal Service to continue with their commitment of yesteryears; our food pantries depend on us, the letter carriers, and they will be expecting some semblance of what we have shown them in the past. We made great strides last year in our comeback following Covid-19 and will continue to do so as we move forward with or without the Postal Service’s support. We must remain steadfast to our commitment to use this one day of service to provide food for the communities we serve. The impact of this one day of service supplies most food pantries across our branch with a sufficient supply of food to feed the communities we deliver to throughout the entire year.

This is why your generous help is needed. So, ask yourself, “Are you ready to give the extra effort to make this year’s “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive a success?” Can you be committed to delivering the postcards distributed to your case to guarantee that we are able to announce the food drive to all the residents on your route? Then, will you commit to collecting the non-perishable foods donated by your customers. Can you promise to do your part in blessing the underprivileged? It is not asking a lot for you to make this one-day sacrifice to help stock the food pantries in the communities you serve for the benefit of those who are in need.

I want to take the time to encourage each of you to make a conscientious effort to make this year’s food drive a success. I am asking you to deliver all cards and bags distributed to your case and to graciously collect the food so generously donated by your customers. As you are doing so, remember it is not about the Postal Service or even about yourself. It is about stamping out hunger. Families are depending upon us. We can do this with pride as we give of ourselves. Let’s make a difference to ensure no one goes hungry!