PSA for all of you (like me) who kick yourselves when you forget to participate in the USPS Stamp Out Hunger food drive — it’s this Saturday, May 13. This annual event happens on the second Saturday in May and is the largest one-day food drive in the country. Simply put out a bag of non-perishable, unexpired food items next to your mailbox on May 13 and your letter carrier will pick it up. The goal, of course, is to help reduce food insecurity in communities.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers in partnership with local volunteer groups. Postal workers gather these donated food items while delivering mail on their routes. Roughly 10,000 cities and towns across the country participate.
So mark your calendars for May 13 and start gathering your non-perishable food items. This is a great time to dig into your stockpile and do some good. Download the Krazy Coupon Lady app to stay up-to-date on food deals, coupons, and the latest hacks.
Yes, you can drop off your donation at your local post office, too.
You can easily participate in the Food Drive by filling up a grocery bag with non-perishable food items and placing it by your mailbox on the morning of May 13. However, if you have a large donation or your mailbox isn’t accessible to your mail carrier, you can also drop it off at your local post office. Just make sure to label it as a Stamp Out Hunger donation. The deadline to order USPS paper bags was the first week in April, but any plastic or paper grocery bags are accepted.
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Canned items and non-perishables are the most common donations.
The goal of the food drive is to collect as much non-perishable food as possible and deliver it to local food banks and pantries. These organizations then distribute the food to those in need, including children, seniors, and families facing hunger.
Non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, can last a long time without refrigeration and won’t spoil easily. If you’re not sure what to donate, here are some suggestions:
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Canned meats and fish
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit
- Pasta and rice
- Cereal
Of course, you can donate other non-perishable food items as well. Just make sure to check the expiration dates. Also, avoid donating anything in glass containers as they can easily break in transport.
If you can’t donate food, monetary donations are accepted.
You can also make a monetary donation to your local food bank or pantry if you’re unable to donate food. Every little bit helps, and your donation can make a big difference in the lives of those in need.
Here’s a bonus: donating to the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is tax-deductible. This is because all the food collected on Food Drive Day goes directly to non-profit charity food agencies in the community where the food was gathered.
If you want to claim deductions for your donations on your tax return, you’ll need to determine the name and tax identification number of the agency (such as a food pantry or another charity) that received your food, as well as its address. The Food Drive Coordinator at your local post office should be able to provide you with the receiving agency’s name, and they’ll likely have tax information available.
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