For over three decades, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has spearheaded the largest single-day food drive in the country, mobilizing communities to “Stamp Out Hunger.”
This year’s initiative, set for May 10, sees letter carriers across Indianapolis and surrounding areas collect non-perishable donations left by mailboxes to aid families facing food insecurity.
Larry Chance, a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee coordinating Indianapolis’ efforts, emphasized the drive’s critical role in addressing dwindling resources since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Before 2020, we collected over 200,000 pounds of food metro-wide, including Shelbyville, McCordsville and Mooresville,” Chance told the Indianapolis Recorder. “But donations have dropped dramatically. We’re urging Hoosiers to help us rebound to pre-pandemic levels.”
The drive, supported by the NALC, USPS, United Way, CVS Health, Kellogg’s and other partners, has delivered more than 1.82 billion pounds of food nationally since 1993.
Locally, donations benefit pantries and shelters in areas Chance describes as “food deserts,” where access to affordable groceries has sharply declined.
“Brightwood, where I’ve delivered mail since 1999, used to have a Safeway, Double 8 and other stores. Now, it’s a struggle,” Chance said. “No one should go hungry when there’s plenty of food. Some just can’t reach it.”
Chance’s connection fuels his advocacy.
“I grew up in a small town in North Carolina,” Chance said. “I picked butter beans and cotton as a kid. We didn’t have much, but we ate. This drive is about giving everyone that same dignity.”
Residents can participate by placing non-perishable items like canned vegetables, pasta or peanut butter beside their mailboxes by 9 a.m. on May 11.
Letter carriers will collect and deliver to local organizations, including Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
According to Feeding America, 1 in 10 Americans experiences food insecurity. In Indianapolis, the drive’s impact is immediate.
“Every can helps,” Chance said. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors. We need everyone’s support — spread the word, leave a donation or volunteer.”
For details, visit nalc.org/community-service/food-drive.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
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