Leave canned goods near your mailbox this Saturday, May 10, as part of the annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger event. Postal carriers will collect these donations and deliver them to local nonprofits providing food to those in need, including Be Concerned and Action Ministries in Covington.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, according to Be Concerned Executive Director Andy Brunsman. "The timing is important because it comes just before the start of summer, which is typically a slow time for food-raising efforts," said Brunsman. "This food enables us to reload our shelves at a crucial time, so it’s really important that it be successful."
Letter carriers across the country participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on the second Saturday in May. The NALC Branch 374 has been involved in Northern Kentucky since the drive began 28 years ago. Last year, they collected approximately 15,000 lbs. of food; previous years have seen collections as high as 56,000 lbs.
"The drive, which is the nation’s largest and longest continuously held such event, is unique in that all people have to do to participate is leave nonperishable food at their mailbox, and carriers pick it up and deliver it to agencies like ours," said Brunsman.
In 2024, Be Concerned provided assistance a record 36,927 times over its 38-year history, mainly through food or vouchers for free merchandise from its Betty’s Treasures thrift store.
Branch 374 collaborates with several Northern Kentucky food assistance organizations for this effort. Other beneficiaries include Brighton Center and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport, Pantry of Hope in Highland Heights, CARE Mission in Alexandria, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Northern Kentucky.
Since its inception in 1993, the NALC Stamp Out Hunger event has gathered about 1.9 million pounds of food nationwide for those in need.