Letter Carriers across West Michigan are hoping to “Stamp Out Hunger” and they need your help. Now in its 25th year, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will give food to Feeding American West Michigan, which in turn provides food to those in need.
“According to the map the meal gap study, one in 8 people are struggling with hunger here in West Michigan and the U.P. that’s a 40 county service area that we serve at Feeding America West Michigan.”
That’s Andrew Steiner, Media Coordinator with Feeding America West Michigan. The latest study he’s quoting notes a mixed bag. The good news is that the numbers have gone down for those going hungry. The bad news, he says, is that those who are hungry have an even greater need than before.
“So that’s definitely a concerning situation and we want to make sure we get food out to everyone who needs it.”
Now in its 25th year, Steiner says the “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive has been around almost as long as Feeding America West Michigan. Their work with the postal workers is their biggest annual event. This year they hope to bring in 150-thousand pounds, topping last year’s 108-thousand. He notes it’s a lot of work for the letter carriers, but they continue to help each year.
Steiner says participating is easy…
“So, all you need to do is fill a bag, with a few non-perishable foods. So we’re talking canned goods, cereal, rice. You can fill a bag and put it by your mailbox, this Saturday, May 13th.”
And, if you can’t donate this weekend, you can take part online.
“They can go to our website, feedwm.org and make a donation there. Every $21 that we receive allows us to provide a week’s worth of food to a local family.”
The virtual food drive runs until May 20th. And again, the pick-up for stamp out hunger is this Saturday.
