Lowcountry Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers announce 2023 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
May 11, 2023
All households encouraged to leave shelf-stable food donations near their mailboxes on Saturday, May 13 for distribution to our food-insecure neighbors
The 31st annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place nationally and in Charleston on Saturday, May 13. This event is the largest one-day food drive in the country.
Food insecurity rates in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina served by the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) remain high at 9.6%, which equates to more than 144,000 of our neighbors, of whom 42,850 are children. Economic inflation makes it difficult to purchase basic items, and our community can make an impact on May 13 with a food donation.
The Lowcountry Food Bank anticipates this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive will collect 30,000 pounds of food that will be distributed back into the community for those who are food insecure.
“Stamp Out Hunger comes at a critical time for us,” said Nick Osborne, President and CEO of the Lowcountry Food Bank. “The need for food assistance increases as we approach a time of year when food donations are low, and children who rely on free or reduced price school meals do not have access to them during the summer,” he said. “Food prices, gas and utility costs remain high this year and vulnerable members of our community feel the financial strain of feeding their families.”
How to participate in Stamp Out Hunger 2023: On Saturday, May 13, household members can leave shelf-stable food near their mailbox and their letter carrier will pick it up. If your home has a community mailbox bank, donations may be left there. Or, make a monetary donation online at: http://ow.ly/E3IZ50OgeGM. LCFB cannot accept items in glass jars (for safety reasons) nor homemade, canned items.
LCFB encourages the Charleston community to share Stamp Out Hunger information on their own community social media platforms and newsletters. Online monetary donations are also encouraged to help offset increased LCFB food costs and support LCFB procurement of fresh produce, protein and dairy products for our food-insecure neighbors.
About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.
The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed nearly 40 million pounds of food in 2022. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to more than 230 partner agencies including on-site meal programs, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, visit the Lowcountry Food Bank website
About Stamp Out Hunger
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive and is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
