Stamp Out Hunger FAQs:
When do I put out the food?
On the second Saturday of May, just set out your non-perishable food well before your letter carrier’s normal pick-up time. Note that he or she will be delivering and collecting mail as usual, on top of collecting food donations, so that pickup time could be slightly later than usual.
What do you mean by “non-perishable food?”
The top requested non-perishable food items are: cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans (canned or dry).
Is there anything I shouldn’t donate?
Please do not donate frozen food, homemade food or home-canned items, or food in glass jars. In keeping with good food-handling and food-safety procedures, food that is opened, damaged, out of code or does not have the official ingredients included will be discarded by the food bank in the sorting process.
I put food out and it wasn’t picked up. Why not?
We try to touch every single mail box in America during the Food Drive, but the fact is that we do admittedly miss some. The Food Drive takes place in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America. It’s an effort to raise national awareness about the real, ongoing problem of hunger in every community, and it’s a sincere attempt to use our unique delivery network to do something about it. Please note, though, that participation is strictly voluntary, and no system is perfect—oversights will occur. If your donation is not picked up, contact your local post office or simply place your donation by your mailbox on Monday instead. (We’ll be picking up missed donations on Monday, too.) And of course, your local food bank or food pantry will gratefully accept your donation in person. In any case, we are deeply thankful for your generosity and are truly sorry for any inconvenience.
Do I need to use a special bag?
No! No special bags are needed. Paper is sturdy and tends to hold more food, while plastic holds up better if it gets wet (in the rain, etc.). Cloth bags or boxes are also fine. So it’s your choice. And most bags and boxes can be easily recycled. We’ll take anything you leave out!
I hear that some people got special Food Drive bags in the mail but I didn’t get one. What gives?
A number of letter carrier locals have entered partnerships with sponsors to provide specially marked “Food Drive” bags that get mailed to customers. These sponsorships help defray the costs associated with making the bags and mailing them. Plus, some sponsors have also backed bag distributions as well in certain regions of the country. So bag distribution isn’t national—at least not yet. And you can always use your own bags or boxes.
Does every letter carrier take part in the Food Drive?
As much as we would like every letter carrier to take part—and a sizable majority of them do—some letter carriers as well as some post offices opt not to take part in the national Food Drive, for a variety of reasons. Note that letter carrier participation in the food drive is strictly voluntary.
Can I donate pet food, too?
The Food Drive is primarily a people-food food drive, but if you also want to give pet food in addition to your regular donation, food banks may be able to distribute or direct it to pet shelters and organizations in the area that have a need.
Can I donate baby food, too?
Please do not donate any form of individual baby food products (including formula, jarred vegetables and fruits, meals, snacks, infant cereal). Baby food may be donated by the case or pallet, but single item donations present potential contamination risks and special handling requirements.
Can I donate personal care items, too?
The Food Drive is primarily, well, a food drive, but if you also want to give personal care items (such as diapers, laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper and household cleaning items) in addition to your regular donation, food banks may be able to distribute or put them to good use with organizations that also provide help to those in need. Please note that not all food banks will be able to accept these items.
Does my food donation stay local?
Yes—all food stays in your local community. It’s not shipped off to some regional distribution center hundreds of miles away. If you want to know where yours is going, call your local post office and ask to speak to your local food drive person.
Can I give money in addition to (or instead of) food?
While we strongly encourage food donations over money donations, we won’t turn away any donations. If you want to give money, please avoid donating cash (for everyone’s protection); just write a check made out to your local food bank, food pantry or shelter, seal it in an envelope (no postage required), write “Letter Carriers’ Food Drive” on the envelope, and leave it by or in your mailbox. You can also donate online.
Are my donations tax-deductible?
Please contact your local food bank. The food drive person at your local post office should be able to help connect you.
How can I help out (besides donating food)?
If you would like to volunteer with food distribution and sorting, or in any other capacity, call your local post office and ask to speak to the local food drive person there. You can also contact your local Feeding America member food bank. Many food banks have a great need for volunteers on Food Drive Day as well as all throughout the year.
When will we know the results of this year’s drive?
All locals must have their results mailed in to the Letter Carriers’ national headquarters in Washington, DC, by the end of May. Typically, the tabulated results are expected to be revealed the first week of June, and they will be posted online.
How can I help out (besides donating food)?
If you would like to volunteer with food distribution and sorting, or in any other capacity, call your local post office and ask to speak to the local food drive person there. You can also contact your local Feeding America member food bank. Many food banks have a great need for volunteers on Food Drive Day as well as all throughout the year.
When will we know the results of this year’s drive?
All locals must have their results mailed in to the Letter Carriers’ national headquarters in Washington, DC, by the end of May. Typically, the tabulated results are expected to be revealed the first week of June, and they will be posted here as well as on Facebook and Twitter.