Correction: An earlier version of this story said the postal service would provide bags for residents. This year residents must put food in their own disposable bags.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Postal workers in Clarksville-Montgomery County as well as across the nation will be collecting food Saturday, May 12 for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) hold the event each year with over 50 letter carriers in Clarksville-Montgomery County expected to be part of the food collection drive.
George Somers, Vice President of the local NALC branch said the Postal service will not be handing bags this year for Stamp Out Hunger as they have done in the past. Everyone is encouraged to use any disposable bag of their choice for their donation of food.
“All they have to do is put nonperishable food items in those bags and leave the bags out at their mailbox,” Somers said.
Somers said that the NALC chose this time of year to collect food in hopes it will carry the food banks through the summer because schools are closed and families in need are not supplemented by school lunches.
He said residents who are not able to leave food by their mailbox on Saturday may drop off a bag of food at their local post office in Clarksville-Montgomery County.
All of the food collected locally stays within the community to benefit Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries.
“The Stamp Out Hunger food drive helps us replenish our pantry every year with the mission of feeding the food insecure in our community. We use the items to help prepare meals that we serve Monday-Saturday year round,” Susan Chapman, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes said.
To learn more about the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food Drive go to www.helpstampouthumger.com.