This year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive will take place on Saturday, May 10. The drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is in its 33rd year and is the largest one-day food drive in the country.
Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents can participate by leaving non-perishable food donations at their mailboxes on Saturday, May 10, for their letter carriers to collect. Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries in both counties, helping to ensure that families in need have access to nutritious food.
“This food drive is an example of the power of people coming together to assist our neighbors in need, as well as the substantial impact that a local non-profit has on our community,” said Laura Gilliam, United Way of West Florida President and CEO.
Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned fruit in 100% juice, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), peanut butter, and/or dry beans. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or are homemade.
Local food donations will benefit individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center. In 2024, Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected 150,455pounds of food from generous residents to serve their neighbors in need.
“As our largest single food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger is deeply impactful for our neighbors in need right here in Northwest Florida who face the challenge of hunger,” says Michael Ledger, President & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “Partnerships and community support like this food drive made it possible for Feeding the Gulf Coast to distribute millions of meals in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties last year. As we continue to see an increase in hardworking families and individuals, children, and seniors facing hunger, we are hopeful there will be strong community support this year.”
Residents of the two-county area should expect to receive a Stamp Out Hunger postcard reminder in the mail and a bag to fill with donation items (though any bag may be used for donations). For more information about the local annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, please visit www.uwwf.org/soh.
Several partners are assisting the NALC in the food drive: the United States Postal Service, the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), Valpak, United Way, the AFL-CIO, CVS, Kellogg’s and Vericast.
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United Way of West Florida (UWWF) mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. True to its founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, UWWF is there. The nonprofit organization brings a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, UWWF works towards a future where every person in the community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit uwwf.org.
