Contact:  Mary Lou Valenzuela, 602-631-4840 office/602-312-7769 mobile or mvalenzuela@vsuw.org

WHAT: On Saturday, May 9 the largest one-day food drive will reach the Valley when more than 5,000 local city and rural letter carriers collect non-perishable food donations across local neighborhoods.  Valley residents are urged to help fight hunger by donating to the 17th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive as more individuals and families turn to local food banks for food assistance at time when donations are down. The annual drive provides vital resources to our Valley’s major food banks – St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, St. Vincent de Paul and the United Food Bank.  Last year, local letter carriers collected more than 830,000 pounds of food and hope to collect 1 million pounds this year to support Valley residents.

WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2009

HOW: It’s easy to help. Local letter carriers bring the food drive to you! 

• City and rural letter carriers will deliver grocery bags to residents mailboxes
• Residents are asked to fill the grocery bag with non-perishable food items and simply place the bag next to their mailbox.  A full bag weighing 11 pounds can provide approximately eight meals to someone in need.
• Letter carriers pick up donations while on their regular route.  All donations will be delivered to local food banks.

WHY: Hunger continues to be a vital concern across the state. The economic downturn has Valley residents turning to local food banks for food assistance. In fact, area food banks have seen up to a 50 percent increase in requests for assistance while donations continue to decrease.

WHO: Locally, Valley of the Sun United Way partners with the NALC Local Union 576, the U.S. Postal Service and Labor’s Community Service Agency to inspire Valley residents to fight hunger.

The Letter Carriers’ Food Drive was established in Phoenix by NALC Local Union 576 in 1990.  In 1992, the NALC implemented the food drive nationally and has grown to be the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Last year, carriers collected a record 73.1 million pounds of food in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. National food drive partners include Feeding America, formerly known as America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s food bank network, United Way of America and the AFL-CIO. 

About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Our goal is to create long-lasting and measurable changes that improve the quality of life for struggling individuals, families and children throughout Maricopa County. Visit www.vsuw.org to learn more.

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