June 2, 2008

Increased need in the suburbs highlighted at Stamp Out Hunger food drive kick off

17th annual event comes at a time when more families are turning to local food cupboards for help

Pittsford, NY – Today leaders from the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 210, the American Postal Workers Union, and United Way of Greater Rochester officially kicked off the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive at the Pittsford Food Cupboard – one of the many local food pantries that is experiencing an increase in families coming to them for help in putting food on the table.

During the summer months, when school is out and subsidized breakfast and lunch programs end, many families turn to local food cupboards to help provide nutritious meals. This year, with the challenging economy and the high cost of food and gas, the number of people needing assistance is even greater, especially in the suburbs.

“In the past year requests from families in our suburban neighborhoods have doubled,” says Kelly Gilman of the Pittsford Food Cupboard. “Every year, and this year especially, we rely on the people who donate to the Stamp Out Hunger drive to help fill our shelves so we can take care of our neighbors in need.”

Stamp Out Hunger, an annual effort lead by the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 210, is held locally for a week in June to help restock the shelves of local food cupboards. This year, from June 2-7, letter carriers will collect non-perishable, non-breakable food items left in or next to mailboxes to donate to local food cupboards. Last year, a total of 563,000 pounds of food was collected and went to food pantries in the City of Rochester and surrounding suburbs.

“The threat of not having enough food to feed your family is a very serious problem that affects so many people right here in our city and suburbs,” said Art Muoio, President, NALC Branch 210. “It’s important to know that every donation made goes directly to help people who may be your friends and neighbors.”

Residents in Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Yates and Wayne Counties are asked to help Stamp Out Hunger by leaving food items at their mailboxes. Suggested items include: peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, crackers, cereal, juice boxes, pasta, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soups, tuna fish, or essential toiletries like toilet paper or toothpaste.

Sponsors of this year’s drive include: the National Association of Letter Carriers – Branch 210, American Postal Workers Union 215, United States Postal Services, New York Rural Letter Carriers Association, United Way of Greater Rochester, Warm 101.3, 13 WHAM-TV and CW 16, and Wegmans.