Homeowners across the country are urged to leave non-perishable foods by their mail-boxes this Saturday as part of the annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
Most of the food collected by letter carriers in Southwest Florida will be directed to the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Ft. Myers and from there is distributed to about 150 non-profits. Since the economic downturn five years ago Development Director Miriam Pereira says demand has increased four-fold. And she said the uptick in the economy hasn’t quelled demand.
“It seems to have leveled off but it’s leveled at a higher level post- recession,” Pereira said. “Yes you do see in the headlines that the economy is improving but many of our clients are people who may have gotten jobs since the recession but they’re getting paid less than they used to get paid.”
The food bank distributes one million pounds of food every month in the five county area. Pereira said the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the single largest supply source during the summer months. Demand remains high in the summer because children are out of school and many needy families have to provide more meals.
Pereira also said the success is this year’s drive is dependent upon volunteers.
”We are definitely looking for volunteers who can help to sort food at the different post offices when the food first comes in when we are looking for people who can to do preliminary sorting of it all,” she said.
People who want to volunteer can contact the Harry Chapin Food Bank for more information.
