One out every seven U.S. citizens qualifies as living in poverty, and many more deal with the burden of hunger every day. The U. S. Postal Service is fighting to change that with its annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive event Saturday, May 14.
This is the 24th year of the partnership between the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. Over that time, the group has collected over 1.4 billion pounds of food; however, fighting hunger is an ever-growing battle.
Northeast Louisiana Coordinator Jimmie Drummer explains, "You never know, it could be you or me on any day. Life can take strange turns, where one day you can be up, and the next day you are really down. All it takes is that one moment to have that life-changing event. These floods have shown us things can turn in just a matter of days."
According to Drummer, flooding has increased the need for food donations, and he says this is also the time of year when Food Bank reserves begin to dwindle.
"Normally around the holiday season people are really willing to give more, and are in the giving spirit. After the holidays though, you have the rest of the year," explains Drummer," so this a way that we can help the Food Bank replenish their pantry."
To take part in the food drive, residents can leave a paper bag full of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox on Saturday. Those donations will be picked up by local letter carriers.
Drummer says the Monroe Post Office will also host a large bin at 501 Sterlington Road, near the University of Louisiana Monroe.
