On May 11, Grand Rapids residents donated over 158,000 pounds of non-perishable food via their mailboxes to feed neighbors in need.
Grand Rapids, Mich., May 24, 2019 — Letter carriers in Grand Rapids volunteered their time to collect food donated by mailbox during the 27th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. This year, residents’ donations will provide nearly 132,000 meals for neighbors facing hunger.
The nationwide campaign, run by the National Association of Letter Carriers, unites mail carriers, residents and hunger relief organizations to work toward the same goal: to end hunger.
Early this month, bags were placed in mailboxes encouraging residents to fill them with non-perishable food for their letter carriers to pick up. With the help of food bank staff and numerous volunteers, the food was sorted, loaded into trucks and delivered to the food bank. Feeding America West Michigan will distribute the food to its partner agencies who will ensure it ends up on the plates of those in need.
“The partnership we have with the letter carriers is instrumental in the fight against hunger,” said Ken Estelle, President and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan. “We are always amazed at how the Grand Rapids community steps up to help their neighbors in need.”
An estimated 285,000 people struggle with food insecurity in Feeding America West Michigan’s service area. Without the support of generous communities and organizations, Feeding America West Michigan would struggle to fulfill its mission.
Neighbors who missed the food drive are encouraged to give a meal online at feedwm.org/donate.
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About Feeding America West Michigan
Serving local families in need since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan reclaims safe surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. That food is distributed through a network of 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger-relief agencies in 40 of Michigan’s 83 counties from the Indiana border through the Upper Peninsula. For more information, visit FeedWM.org or call 616-784-3250.