Fairfield, CT - Help stamp out hunger for families here in Fairfield! Keep an eye out for a postcard from your letter carrier announcing the annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 12. In its 26th year, this largest one-day food drive in America is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and all non-perishable food items donated locally will benefit clients of Operation Hope of Fairfield.
If your letter carrier is participating, as participation is strictly voluntary, place non-perishable food donations in a bag next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 12. Your letter carrier will collect the food and deliver it to Operation Hope. Our Food Pantry is in need of regular sized containers (not large or bulk) of cereal, shelf stable milk (powdered or boxed), juice, jelly, honey, ramen, peanut butter, rice, coffee, herbal tea, canned meat stews, Chef Boyardee pastas, pancake mix, syrup, sugar, flour, cooking oil, canned fruit - peaches, fruit cocktail and applesauce and cat food.
According to the NALC, the 2017 drive brought in more than 71 million pounds of non-perishable food that was collected from generous postal patrons and delivered to community food banks, pantries and shelters, providing families in need with a lifeline of basic nutrition. The Fairfield Post Office, which includes Southport, collected over 9 tons of non-perishable food and essentials last year to stock Operation Hope’s Food Pantry.
Local letter carriers will deliver food donations to Operation Hope, 636 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Volunteers will be on hand to collect and sort the donations for the Food Pantry. We are looking for volunteers for these shifts on Saturday, May 12: Set up from 10am-1pm; Receive, sort and carry donations from 1pm-4pm and Break down and continued sorting of donations from 4pm-7pm. Adults with SUVs would be welcome and appreciated during the 4pm-7pm shift. Youths are encouraged to participate but they must be accompanied by an adult volunteer. Please contact Volunteer Program Manager Donna Schmidt at dschmidt@operationhopect.org to volunteer.
Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau said, “The Town of Fairfield is proud to support the Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive once again this year. The Town is very thankful to the letter carriers for all their good work year-round and especially appreciates their commitment to fight hunger. As families count on local pantries and food banks for support, Operation Hope is counting on us and together, we must look out for our neighbors in need.”
“According to the Connecticut Food Bank, 1 in 6 children in Connecticut struggles with hunger,” said Kathleen McNamara, Operation Hope Food Pantry Manager. “The months leading up to summer is a good time for us to stock up in the Food Pantry. While school meals help to mitigate the issue, summer break creates gaps in food, often leaving students and their families without consistent meals. That’s an extremely difficult situation to face for most low-income families. We are grateful to our local residents for helping area families who are hungry. And remember, if your letter carrier is not participating, Operation Hope needs food all year long. Donations can be made daily.”
The mission of Operation Hope is to provide the opportunity for individuals and families to experience transformative change. By addressing basic needs for food and housing, as well as offering long-term solutions to hunger and homelessness, including affordable housing, life skills training and personalized clinical support, we help people reach their potential in an environment where compassion inspires dignity and hope. For more information, contact Operation Hope at (203) 292-5588 or visit www.operationhopect.org.