Saturday marks the 24th anniversary of one of America's great days of giving, the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp out Hunger Food Drive. Each year in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from our customers that go directly to local food pantries.

Currently, 49 million Americans are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Approximately 16 million are children and over five million seniors over age 60 are food insecure. Last year we collected over 71 million pounds of food nationally, feeding an estimated 30 million people.

Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday seasons. By springtime many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need. Participating in the  Letter Carrier Stamp out Hunger Food Drive is simple. Just leave a non-perishable food item in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 14 and your letter carrier will do the rest.

I invite you to join in America's great day of giving and help us in our fight to end hunger.

Gary Amidon, Letter Carrier

Waterford Post Office