Letter carriers hope to stamp out hunger
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Letter carriers across the state will be looking outside the box tomorrow, hoping to find some tuna, peanut butter and other food donations as part of the annual "Help Stamp Out Hunger" drive.
When: Tomorrow Where: Put out non-perishable food donations next to mailbox Most wanted foods: • Canned meats/tuna • Peanut butter • Canned meals such as chili/spaghetti/corned beef • Cans of soups, beans • Canned vegetables and fruits • Rice, pasta, cereal
Lynne Moore, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service in Hawai'i, said 240,000 carriers across the state will be gathering non-perishable food items that are placed next to mailboxes for pickup on Saturday.
What: 12th annual food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers
This is the 12th annual nationwide food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers, which provides donations to community food banks across the country.
Last year's drive collected 308,356 pounds of food in Hawai'i and the previous year was even higher, said Brett Schlemmer, Hawaii Foodbank director of operations.
Schlemmer said the most sought-after items are canned goods, especially meats and other protein, peanut butter, meal in a can items such as chili and spaghetti, soups, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables.
Moore said the food drive grew out of a tradition of community service when the carriers decided to come up with a more coordinated effort. She said they chose spring for the annual drive because they learned that the donations from Thanksgiving and Christmas were usually running out by this time of year.
Schlemmer said the timing helps to allow the Hawaii Foodbank to supply 240 charities that in turn feed about 118,000 people each week. He said the volume of donations from the carriers and the community has been awesome. "That's truly amazing to have all that food come in — in just one day," he said.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
