Saturday May 10th marks the National Association of Letter Carriers’ 22nd annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive to benefit Neighbor to Neighbor. This annual drive, by far the largest for Greenwich’s local food pantry, generated record donations of food in 2013. The nonprofit hopes donations this year will exceed 60,000 pounds.
“This food drive comes at a time when our pantry shelves are running bare,” says Neighbor to Neighbor Executive Director Nancy Coughlin. “Each week we provide free food for more than 1,000 Greenwich residents, half of whom are children.”
Blue plastic shopping bags will be delivered to each resident’s mailbox during the week of May 5th.
Residents are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable, non-expired food items to be donated to the food pantry. On Saturday, May 10, 2013, during their regular routes, letter carriers will collect the filled bags and bring them to Neighbor to Neighbor. Volunteers are needed to sort the donations, which then will be distributed to Greenwich residents in need.
Letter Carrier John Hubbard held 2013’s record of 101 bags of food collected. Photo courtesy Neighbor to Neighbor
Kings Food Markets generously donated the bags for this food drive as part of its Act Against Hunger initiative and its partnership with Neighbor to Neighbor. Customers can find a coupon code on the bag to be redeemed at the Kings’ Old Greenwich location between May 16th – 18th.
“The Letter Carriers appreciate the community support for this food drive,” commented Greenwich food drive coordinator Howard Dinnerstein, “especially in light of tough economic times for a lot of people.” This will be the first year that donations from each Greenwich zip code support our local pantry, Neighbor to Neighbor. Donations will assist seniors, working families, and the unemployed, as well as provide an extra supplement for children who receive free or reduced price lunch during the school year.
Neighbor to Neighbor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving residents in need throughout the Greenwich area. We improve lives by providing for the exchange of food, clothing and basic living essentials in an atmosphere of kindness and respect.