For one day, Long Islanders are being asked to come together to support neighbors in need as the annual food drive takes place right in front of residents’ homes.
Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) are once again partnering for Stamp Out Hunger®, the nation’s largest single-day food collection effort. On this day, Long Islanders are encouraged to leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where local letter carriers will collect donations during regular delivery and ensure they reach Long Islanders facing food insecurity.
According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest, the need for food assistance on Long Island remains urgent, noting that the food bank distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.
“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” said Shubin Dresner. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”
Non-perishable food items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk. No prepared food or food products in glass containers will be accepted. In addition, personal care items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers are gratefully accepted. All donations collected will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and other emergency feeding programs in communities across Long Island. All food collected stays on Long Island.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, emphasized the role letter carriers play in supporting their communities:
“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” said Siesto. “We are proud to partner with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”
Since its inception, Stamp Out Hunger, held annually on the second Saturday in May, has collected over two billion pounds of food for those in need across the United States.
Last year alone, generous Long Islanders donated over 360,000 pounds of food. Combined with sponsorship support, over 600,000 meals were supported. Island Harvest hopes to exceed 500,000 pounds of food during this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food collection campaign.
This year’s Stamp Out Hunger collection campaign on Long Island is generously supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.