Help post office ‘Stamp out Hunger’ May 13

From staff reports

The annual Stamp out Hunger Food Drive, an opportunity to work with the post office in assisting local food pantries, will take place on Saturday, May 13, according to postal officials.
Residents are asked to leave non-perishable food items in bags by their mailboxes on May 13, which letter carriers will collect for distribution to food pantries in Cass County.
Judy Ragsdale, a volunteer with Rebecca’s Pantry, last week urged locals to participate, and also to check dates on items left out for the carriers, making sure the goods are not expired.
This marks the 25th year the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp out Hunger Food Drive has taken place. Last year, nationally, more than 80 million pounds of food were collected, which helped feed an estimated 64 million people.
According to a letter from Atlanta Postmaster Barbara Weems, one in six Americans are unsure where their next meal is coming from. Many are children and seniors.
“Our food drive’s timing is crucial,” Weems said. “Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas 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.”
Editor’s note: Weems’ letter can be read in its entirety on page 4 of the Journal.