‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Generates 9,096 Pounds of Goods Locally

“Stamp Out Hunger,” a nationwide food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers (West Central Missouri Branch 139), generated a total of 9,096 pounds of food locally Saturday, May 10 for two area food banks.

3500 pounds of that went to the Sedalia Salvation Army of Sedalia, and the rest went to the Open Door Food Bank.

The NALC said the annual event is the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Blue plastic bags were left by carriers on April 30 at mailboxes along their routes.

Salvation Army Director Magen Hudson told KSIS she has been involved with the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive for the past 10 years.

“I know it’s been going on for a lot longer than that. This is the biggest one-day food drive in the United States,” Hudson said, adding that the donated food is highly appreciated by the recipients.

“We have hundreds of families that visit our food pantry each month, and they depend on stuff like this. They depend on food drives. They depend on the community coning together and looking out for each other,” Hudson commented.

Hudson noted that last year’s event generated 9,000 pounds of donated food and hopes that this year’s event will do the same, or even greater.

The donated food is delivered to the two local food banks and goes right back out to the community, so it comes full circle.

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Open Door Development Director Michelle O’Donnell thanked all the letter carriers and volunteers who made the event a success, and of course all those who donated goods to the local food banks. “It’s been amazing,” O’Donnell said. “We really, really appreciate it.”