Postal Service Aims to 'Stamp Out Hunger'

As Barrington letter carrier John Thome loads his truck for the morning, he can’t help but think of the people he and the rest of the Barrington Postal Service employees will be helping this Saturday. 

“There’s definitely a need as far as the food shortage goes,” Thome said. He calls local pantries to notify them of the upcoming drive. “They’re always low. So many people are out of work. Any little thing we can do to help is worth its weight in gold.” 

On Saturday, May 12, the U.S. Postal Service, National Association of Letter Carriers and other organizations are teaming up to fight hunger for the 20th annual Stamp Out Hunger in America event. The Postal Service touts this is the nation’s largest single-day food drive in local communities across America. Thome says they’ve collected between 7,400 and 9,000 pounds of food locally in years past. 

“It’s always been a good response,” Thome said. “It really touches your heart…that you’re helping these families.”

Barrington residents are asked to leave a sturdy bag containing nonperishable foods next to their mailbox before the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12. Letter carriers will then take the donated food, which will be distributed to the , and food pantries. Donations also can be dropped off this Saturday at either Barrington postal location:

, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“I am confident the 2012 campaign will be our best ever because the need continues to grow,” Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said. 

The Postal Service said that last year, letter carriers around the country collected 70.2 million pounds of food, all donated by customers on their delivery routes. The year 2011 marked the eighth consecutive year the total food collection was at least 70 million pounds.

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive began at the local level in the 1980s and went nationwide in 1992. To learn more, head to www.helpstampouthunger.com/.