Stamp Out Hunger Saturday, May 14 {Easy Way To Give Back}

Help Stamp Out Hunger Saturday, May 14!

This Saturday brings one of my favorite ways to give back to my community: Stamp Out Hunger.

I love this program for an easy way to make a difference — without even leaving the house. Simply collect and bag non-perishables you’d like to donate and place them in a bag in/near your mailbox before your mail time for your letter carrier to pick-up. All of these items will be delivered to your local food bank.

Items to consider donating include canned meats/fish, soup, 100% fruit juice, canned veggies, pasta, cereal, peanut butter and rice. Do not include items that are expired or in glass containers.

From my experience volunteering at food banks, cans of tuna or chicken and peanut butter specifically are great to donate since this often may be the only source of protein a family receives.

Reasons to love this program:

• It’s an excuse to clean out your pantry.
• It’s an EASY way to help people in need.
• It helps families in your neighborhood — literally — since it goes to local food banks.
• It serves as a reminder that we are blessed to be food secure.
• It provides us with a great lesson to teach our children about giving back and helping others.

While this is a national program, it affects LOCAL families. Did you know one in four Michigan children live in poverty, with household incomes under $24,000 for a family of four? For these individuals, a simple food donation can make all the difference.

Last year’s drive resulted in nearly 71 million pounds of non-perishable food left by customers’
mailboxes nationwide. Do your part and put together a bag of items and help a family in need!

Read more about the Stamp Out Hunger initiative here.

If you forget to put out items, you can always call one of these local food banks to see how you can help:

• Food Bank of Eastern Michigan {Flint}
• Food Gatherers {Ann Arbor}
• Forgotten Harvest {Oak Park}
• Gleaners Community Food Bank {locations throughout SE Michigan}
• Greater Lansing Food Bank {Lansing}

What items will you be donating to help Stamp Out Hunger?