USPS Asks Maui Residents to ‘Stamp Out Hunger,’ May 13

More than 175,000 mail carriers across the nation will lead the Postal Service’s effort to “Stamp Out Hunger” by collecting food donations throughout Hawaiʻi and in cities and towns across the country on Saturday, May 13, in the 25th annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.

Hawaii Foodbank photo.

The drive is the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger and is held to support the mission of community food banks such as the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

Last year, more than 42,000 pounds (21 tons) of food was collected on Maui; the Wailuku Post Office led the way with 11,638 pounds.

Statewide, Hawaiʻi carriers collected more than 524,000 pounds of food, which pencils out to 524 pounds per carrier. Nationwide, more than 80 million pounds of food were collected last year; 1.5 billion pounds of food has been collected during the campaign’s first 24 years.

Residents are urged to place non-perishable food items next to their mailboxes for pickup on May 13, before their usual mail pickup time. Mail carriers will transport the donations back to their Post Offices where postal employees and volunteers will sort the food and deliver it to their nearest community food banks. Post Offices without residential delivery will be collecting items during the days leading up to May 13.

“The NALC Food Drive is a big help because it always results in a lot of canned protein items, which are our ‘Most Wanted’ items.” said Malcolm Inamine, Hawaiʻi Foodbank Chief Administrative Officer. Inamine listed the following as the most desired food donations: Canned meats or tuna, canned meals such as chili, stew or spaghetti, canned soups, and canned fruits and vegetables.

The Hawaiʻi Foodbank, through its network of island food banks and their local food pantries and meal programs, provides food assistance to more than 123,000 households statewide. Approximately 287,000 Hawaiʻi residents, including 47,894 keiki and more than 46,000 kupuna, receive such assistance.

“Last year we collected more than 262 tons of food in our statewide food drive,” said Adele Yoshikawa, Pearl City Carrier and NALC Food Drive Spokesperson. “Our goal in Hawaiʻi is to top last year’s totals, but we’ll be happy to collect any amount of food. We ask that our customers, friends and families help us ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ by supporting this drive.

“This annual food drive demonstrates how the Postal Service goes beyond just delivering the mail to helping those in our communities who are less fortunate.”