By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
One of the largest statewide food drives is coming to the Castle Country, as on Saturday, May 10, letter carriers look to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’. With inflation and high living costs creating increased need, Utah Food Bank and its partner agencies eagerly anticipate this food drive’s success.
“It is one of our biggest food drives all year,” said Southeastern Regional Development Agency Community Engagement Director Julie Rosier. “Because of the cost of rent going up and the high cost of food and fuel, we are seeing more and more families who are food insecure and need that assistance. So with that growing need, we also have a big need for additional food and donations.”
Donated food should be commercially packaged, nonperishable, with an emphasis on items that are low in sodium, sugar and corn syrup. The most needed food items include beef stew, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals and canned meats. Donations should be left near residents’ mailboxes no later than 9 a.m. for letter carriers to gather and bring to the food bank.
“Donations received through this food drive come at a crucial time as school gets out and many kids are left without access to school meal programs,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. “Community support of this effort will truly make a difference in the lives of the one in six Utah kids who are unsure where their next meal is coming from. With costs of living skyrocketing, so too is the need for food assistance in our state.”
In addition to the drive, the Carbon and Emery food bank offers other ways for community members to aid in the food bank’s mission – namely through volunteering. “If anybody would like to volunteer, we’d be happy to have you,” expressed Rosier. “Just give me a call at 435-613-0065.”
The National Association of Letter Carriers sponsors the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive in conjunction with the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association and the United States Postal Service. More information is available online at UtahFoodBank.org.