Mail carriers to conduct Alabama's largest food drive May 13

The state’s largest food drive will be held in Birmingham and elsewhere in Central Alabama on Saturday, May 13, when mail carriers will pick up food donations that area residents put in plastic bags and leave at their mailboxes.

Residents can also drop off food donations at post offices.

The Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, in its 25th year, is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, United Way of Central Alabama and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, according to a news release from the UWCA.

The Stamp Out Hunger drive is critical because it comes at a time when demand increases and most food banks have depleted the donations they received during the previous holiday season.

“We see the need spike when schools close for summer and children no longer have access free school meals,” said Community Food Bank executive director Kathryn Strickland.

The Community Food Bank recommends that residents donate non-perishable canned goods and boxed items. The most needed items include canned meats, fruits, soups and vegetables. Dry goods, such as cereal and pasta, are also welcome.   

Last year residents donated about 161,000 pounds of food during the drive. The goal this year is 200,000 pounds.

For more information, go to uwca.org.