Local Letter Carriers and Partners Collect More than 202 Tons of Food in Southern Nevada
This year’s total beats last year by 30,000+ pounds of food
Local letter carriers in Southern Nevada, in collaboration with Albertsons/Sav-on Pharmacy, United Way of Southern Nevada, Goodwill of Southern Nevada, Valpak of Southern Nevada, the United States Postal Service and numerous other dedicated partners helped collect 404,028 pounds of non-perishable food during the 2012 National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
That is more than 202 tons of food, which was distributed to more than twenty local food pantries in Southern Nevada to help those who struggle with hunger. Last year, this effort collected 372,789 pounds of food.
“We know we are making a difference,” said Glenn Norton, president of the Las Vegas branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers. “As letter carriers, we see the need every day on our routes which is why we look forward to this national food drive every year. But we couldn’t make the impact we do without the community’s support, or the support of our amazing partners. On behalf of all our member letter carriers, I offer a sincere thank you.”
The timing of this food drive, always held on the second Saturday in May, comes at a critical time for many local food pantries. “Donations tend to drop off in the summertime,” said Rev. Thomas Maatta of Lutheran Social Services, one of the partner food pantries. “But the need doesn’t decrease.”
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the largest single day food drive in the nation. Letter carriers across the country picked up non-perishable food items along with the mail on Saturday, May 12.
This year, members of the Las Vegas community could also donate to the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive at local Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacies and Goodwill of Southern Nevada retail stores between May 2 and May 12.
Shoppers at Albertsons/Sav-on Pharmacy stores collectively raised more than 100,000 pounds of food for the effort.
Watch a video of this year’s effort