Annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive returns

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back this year. Letter carriers in over 10,000 communities will collect food donations along their postal routes Saturday morning.

The letter carrier’s food drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May. The initiative was put on hold during the pandemic, making this the first event since 2019.

The food collected during the national food drive will be delivered to local food banks and pantries. And donating to Saturday’s food drive is simple. All you need to do is leave non-perishable food items like cereal boxes, canned vegetables, fruit, and even items that are high in protein like canned tuna, chicken, and beans in a bag next to your mailbox Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m.

A mail carrier will pick the items up or a volunteer may come instead prior to your mail.

The Food Bank Of Northern Indiana hopes to collect around 100,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to help restock its shelves for the summer months when the need is high and food donations are typically low.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana Executive Director Marijo Martinec said it's the food bank's largest food drive each year, and if your household can donate just one can of food, you can help the food bank reach its goal.

“Think of things that people can use that will go, maybe stretch what they have in their own pantry,” Martinec said.

If you’re not home, you can also drop off your food items at any post office, The Food Bank Of Northern Indiana, or at any orange collection barrels at Martin’s Supermarkets In St. Joseph county.