Rhode Islanders will have a chance to help neighbors in need through the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 12, coordinated by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Simply leave a bag of healthy, non-perishable food items near your mailbox early that morning and your letter carrier will pick up your donation and deliver it to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank where it will be distributed to food pantries throughout the state.

“Every year, Rhode Island’s postal customers respond generously to Stamp Out Hunger,” says Rhode Island food drive coordinator and veteran letter carrier Phil Riggi. “They know it’s a positive way to make a difference.”

“This food drive is so critical to the Food Bank and our member agencies at this time of year, as fewer food donations come through our door in spring and summer but we continue to serve the same number of people in need,” said Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer. “The letter carriers make it simple for everyone to help ensure that no one goes hungry by leaving a bag of food at their mailbox on Saturday, May 12.”

Most-needed items include canned soups and vegetables, peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, canned beans, tuna and healthy cereals. As always, the food collected will be sorted by volunteers who check for use-by dates and damaged packaging.

This drive is a national effort to address hunger. Across the country, partners supporting Stamp Out Hunger include the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), United States Postal Service (USPS), National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), AFL-CIO, UFCW, United Way, Valassis, and Valpak.