The 30th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Kicks Off Saturday

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – United Way Quad Cities is partnering with the National Association of Letter Carriers in the nation’s largest one-day Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

According to a press release, this unique partnership aims to collect non-perishable food donations for the local River Bend food bank during the 30th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

“After a two-year hiatus from Stamp Out Hunger, we at United Way are honored to once again join our organized labor partners in the fight against hunger, a barrier that can prevent Quad Citizens from reaching their full potential,” Marci Zogg, vice president of community impact at United Way Quad Cities, said.

On Saturdays, the community is invited to place a donation of non-perishable food next to their mailboxes before the mail is delivered. Letter carriers will collect food donations as they deliver mail along their postal routes. Donations stay in the community and go to food pantries and local shelters for those in need.

“One in four households faced food insecurity in the United States this year,” Zogg said. “The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is a great way to easily support your fellow Quad Citizens. Donations stay in our community, so we can continue to improve Quad Cities as a whole.

“For 30 years, neighbors have rallied around those in need by donating non-perishable food through the Stamp Out Hunger partnership with letter carriers and United Way,” said Jenny Brinkmeyer-Colvin, director of development at the River Bend Food Bank. “Nearly 120,000 people in the Quad Cities make impossible choices every day between food and expenses like utilities and medicine. If you have food at home that you know you won’t eat, don’t eat it. don’t throw it away – donate it and help us ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.

This year will mark three decades of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Over the past 30 years, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive has collected 1.67 billion pounds of food, according to the release.

“We are proud that Quad Cities letter carriers are participating again. Our local NALC branches appreciate the long-standing partnership with the United Way, which provides support in planning and executing the food drive,” said Tracey Bultinck, City Mail Carrier and Food Drive Coordinator. food. “It’s one of those partnerships where anyone can get involved or give back in some way. It amazes me to see the generosity and community spirit fully deployed to help local families.

The most popular non-perishable foods are cereals, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans (canned or dried). Those who donate can also donate healthy foods that are low in sodium and sugar, such as beans, oatmeal and other whole grains, as well as canola or olive oil. .

No frozen, homemade, home-canned or glass container food will be accepted.

To find out if your postman is participating, please visit your local post office.

For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, visit https://www.unitedwayqc.org/companies/labor-partnership.

Volunteers are also needed to help sort food at local post offices. Volunteers can work two to four hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Volunteers can register on the Centraide website.

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