NASHUA – The National Association of Letter Carriers will be hosting its Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 9.

Letter carriers are in the communities they serve every day and often come face to face with a sad reality for too many, hunger. Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the county collect nonperishable food donations from our customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people in Nashua who need our help.

During the course of its 30-year history, the drive has collected well over 1.94 billion pounds of food, thanks to a postal service universal delivery network that spans the entire nation, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The need is great, but you can help. Currently, more than 47 million Americans are unsure where their next meal will come from.

More than 13 million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. Nearly 7.4 million seniors over the age of 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the winter holiday seasons.

By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need. Participating in this year’s food drive is simple. Just leave non-perishable food donations in a bag by your mailbox May 9 and your letter carrier will do the rest.