USPS Stamp Out Hunger Drive is Saturday, May 9

Facebook groups are good for more than just asking “what was that loud noise?” or crabbing about dog poop in the yard. Sometimes they deliver something really useful— like a reminder that one of the biggest community efforts of the year is happening right under our noses.

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That’s exactly what happened when I was scrolling Facebook and spotted a post in one of my Grand Rapids neighborhood groups about Stamp Out Hunger, a nationwide effort run through the United States Postal Service. I had that immediate “wait… this weekend?” moment.

It’s called Stamp Out Hunger, and it’s back this Saturday, May 9.

What Is Stamp Out Hunger?

Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, and it turns an ordinary day of mail delivery into something a lot bigger.

Stamp Out Hunger via Facebook

What makes it so simple is you don’t have to go anywhere or sign up! You just leave non-perishable, nutritious food in a bag next to your mailbox before your mail carrier arrives, and USPS workers pick it up while they do their regular route.

Impact on West Michigan Food Pantries

From there, postal workers help distribute those donations to food banks and pantries right here in West Michigan, helping restock shelves at a time when they’re often running low.

The timing isn’t random. The drive always happens on the second Saturday in May, just ahead of summer when donations typically dip and school lunch programs disappear for kids who rely on them.

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The effort is organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, working alongside the United States Postal Service, United Way, and other partners. Since it began in 1993, the drive has collected nearly 2 billion pounds of food nationwide.

So if you’re already planning your weekend errands, keep this on your radar! Check your pantry food extras or swing by the store and help feed the hungry here in West Michigan.

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Gallery Credit: Janna