Leave food by your mailbox to Stamp Out Hunger® in Central Alabama—May 11

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people at Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Stamp Out Hunger gives 100K+ lbs of donations to the food bank every year. (Community Food Bank of Central Alabama)

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers has held its annual Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive here in Alabama. Their goal is simple: to feed thousands of Alabamians in what has become the country’s largest one-day food drive.

Here in the Greater Birmingham Area, the National Association of Letter Carriers partners with United Way and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to make it happen on Saturday, May 11. Sign up now for a two-hour volunteer shift or leave food by your mailbox to participate.

1. Get ready now for Stamp Out Hunger®—Saturday, May 11

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, food donations, Stamp Out Hunger
Donations make such a big difference. (Community Food Bank of Central Alabama)

Stamp Out Hunger® is the largest annual food drive for the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. According to the food bank, one in six people in Central Alabama experiences food insecurity, so the need is great. This is an easy way to donate food to neighbors in need.

Sign up for volunteer shifts at The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama between 2-10PM to help unload, sort + pack donations.

2. Leave your donation by the mailbox before delivery on Saturday, May 11

selective focus photography of gray mail boxes during daytime
Your letter carrier will pick up your donations on May 11. (Oleksandr Gamaniuk / Unsplash)

Participating is super-easy.

The week before the drive, look for a bag and a postcard from your letter carrier with instructions for how to participate, or simply place your items in a sturdy bag.

All you have to do is leave a donation of non-perishable food items next to your mailbox before mail delivery on Saturday, May 11.

While the letter carriers are out delivering mail across the six-county area of central Alabama, they’ll also collect donations along their postal routes and deliver them to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

3. Donate these helpful items

assorted plastic containers on brown wooden shelf
Protein sources are always a welcome donation. (Aaron Doucett / Unsplash)

According to Ginger Pegues of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, these shelf-stable items are the most helpful for you to donate, in priority order:

  • Canned meat (chicken, tuna, salmon, etc.)
  • Canned vegetables (low/no sodium preferred)
  • Canned fruit (or applesauce)
  • Canned or boxed meals (Chef Boyardee, beef stew, etc.)
  • Boxed mac + cheese
  • Potato flakes
  • Peanut butter (+ other nut butter)
  • Canned OR dried beans, peas, lentils, etc.
  • Pasta, rice, quinoa (or other healthy carbohydrates)
  • Breakfast cereals, oatmeal, grits (+ other breakfast foods)
  • 100% fruit juice (canned, plastic bottles or boxes)
  • Shelf-stable milk (dairy or non-dairy alternatives such as oat, almond, coconut, etc.)

4. Help feed neighbors facing hunger

letter carrier, food donation, Stamp Out Hunger
Letter carriers dropping food off at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama (UWCA)

Each year, the drive brings in around 100,000 pounds+ of food.

“At the Community Food Bank, we’re extremely proud to take part in this national food drive that makes a direct local impact. Many of our neighbors are making tough decisions between food, gas and rent. This food drive is a way for everyone in our community to come together to help our neighbors facing hunger have food on the table and in the pantry.”

Ginger Pegues, Director of Development, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

5. Sign up for 2-hour volunteer shifts between 2-10PM

volunteers, Stamp Out Hunger, UWCA, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Volunteers play a vital role in Stamp Out Hunger. (UWCA)

According to Rachael Upton, Director of Volunteer Engagement at United Way of Central Alabama, Stamp Out Hunger is a great cause and a lot of fun:

“It’s a fun day, and an easy way for the community to participate, whether they’re volunteering at the warehouse or leaving food for their letter carriers to pick up. It’s a simple yet significant way to donate food to our community.”

Rachael Upton, Director of Volunteer Engagement, United Way of Central Alabama

Sign up for two-hour shifts to help Stamp Out Hunger® today.

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Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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