Keystone Opportunity Center recently benefited from the 32nd annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on May 10. This event is the largest single-day food collection effort in the United States. Local letter carriers gathered non-perishable food donations from residents in the Souderton-Telford area and delivered them to community food pantries like Keystone.
Keystone Opportunity Center plays a crucial role in supporting over 5,000 individuals annually in Montgomery and Bucks counties. Volunteers worked hard that afternoon, sorting and processing the food donations at Keystone’s pantry. This initiative is especially important as food banks across the country are facing funding cuts just as they expect an increase in demand over the summer months when school meal programs pause.
Clarice Foster, the food pantry manager at Keystone, expressed gratitude for the volunteers and local postal workers. "Thanks to their efforts, we collected 2,979 pounds of food, helping over 250 families a month," she noted.
Since its start in 1993, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive has gathered over 1.9 billion pounds of food nationwide. This effort involves partnerships with organizations such as the U.S. Postal Service and various local charities.
Keystone Opportunity Center, established in 2009 in Souderton, Pa., is a nonprofit that aims to empower families toward self-sufficiency. They offer essential services, from housing support to adult education programs. To learn more, visit Keystone Opportunity Center.
During tough times, such programs highlight the importance of community support. Recent surveys show that food insecurity remains a significant issue in the U.S., affecting one in ten households. The effort behind the Stamp Out Hunger drive emphasizes how collective action can make a real difference in addressing this ongoing challenge.