Join the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: Helping Thousands of Families in Need!

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has been leading the largest single-day food drive in the U.S. for over thirty years. This year’s event, “Stamp Out Hunger,” is set for May 10. Letter carriers in Indianapolis will collect non-perishable food items left by residents at their mailboxes to help families in need.

Larry Chance, a USPS employee overseeing the local effort, points out that since the COVID-19 pandemic, food donations have reached critical lows. “Before 2020, our drive brought in over 200,000 pounds of food across the metro area,” Chance shared. “Now, donations have dropped significantly. We need the community to help us return to those levels.”

Since its start in 1993, the initiative has provided over 1.82 billion pounds of food nationwide, with local donations supporting pantries and shelters in food deserts—areas where access to affordable groceries is limited.

Chance has seen firsthand the struggle in neighborhoods like Brightwood, which used to have several grocery stores. “People shouldn’t have to go hungry when there’s plenty of food out there,” he said. “It’s about making food accessible to everyone.”

Having grown up in North Carolina, Chance values this mission deeply. “I remember picking butter beans and cotton. We didn’t have much, but we always found a way to eat. This drive is about giving everyone that same dignity.”

Residents can contribute by placing items such as canned vegetables, pasta, or peanut butter next to their mailboxes by 9 a.m. on May 11. Letter carriers will collect these donations and deliver them to local organizations like Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Food insecurity affects about 1 in 10 Americans, according to Feeding America. In Indianapolis, the impact of the drive is felt immediately. “Every can helps,” Chance emphasized, highlighting the importance of neighborly support.

For more information about this essential initiative, visit the NALC website.

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