'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive scheduled for Saturday

The 26th annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is set for Saturday, May 12.

The nationwide food drive is held each year on the second Saturday in May to provide families in need with a lifeline of basic nutrition, according to food drive volunteer Tamara Parks, of McAlester.

Parks said the food drive is held in the early spring each year so local food pantries can begin stocking up for the fall and winter seasons.

Last year’s nationwide food drive brought in more than 71 million pounds of non-perishable food and delivered to community food banks, pantries and shelters, according to the National Association of Letter Carriers’ website.

Parks said this week letter carriers have been delivering blue donation bags asking for canned goods and non-perishables.

“The bag has written instructions on it telling everyone to fill the bag with canned goods and non-perishables and placing the bag next to your mailbox or on your front porch on Saturday morning,” she said.

Parks said volunteers and letter carriers will pick up the blue bags on Saturday morning and deliver them to local food banks.

Park’s husband, NALC McAlester branch #1166 president Chris Parks has been an active NALC member and has been delivering food donation bags for four years, she said.

“He has been an active NALC member for four years and this is his first year to be in charge of organizing this event and he is very excited,” Tamara Parks said. “We have had a lot of fun getting the word out to people and letting them know we are here to help.”

Tamara Parks said the letter carriers are also asking any local business who would like to donate to contact them, and the letter carriers will pick-up the donation at the business site.

“I can pick-up your donation on Friday if your business is closed on Saturday,” she added.

Tamara Parks encourages McAlester residents to participate.

“The food we collect goes to local food banks and the more we get from citizens — the more it will help citizens in the future,” Tamara Parks said.

For more information contact Parks at 918-470-8650.

Contact Lacey Sudderth at lsudderth@mcalesternews.com