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Manna and other local food pantries will benefit from Northwest Florida residents’ donations

Pensacola, FL (May 13, 2022) – Residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are encouraged to fill their Stamp Out Hunger bags with healthy, nonperishable food donations today, and leave them by their mailbox tomorrow, Saturday, May 14 for pick-up by their letter carrier in support of the 30th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Donations stay local and benefit the children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals served by Manna Food Bank and other local pantries.

 

This is the 30th year for the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive – the largest, national, single-day effort to put food on the table for millions of Americans. Food collected in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties benefits five local food pantries, helping to feed those who are struggling with food insecurity in our community.

 

The NALC food drive was canceled the past two years due to the pandemic. Those canceled drives plus an increase in the need for food assistance mean a successful event this year is a necessity to keep pantry shelves stocked.

 

“Stamp Out Hunger is one of the most important annual food drives for many of the area’s food pantries, including Manna,” said Dede Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Bank. “Every food donation collected by letter carriers helps meet the needs of hungry neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.”

 

Residents of the two-county area should have received a yellow Stamp Out Hunger bag in recent weeks to fill with food donations. However, if a bag was not received, that’s OK, any bag will work. They are encouraged to fill the bag with healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit in 100% juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), canned vegetables, and peanut butter. Residents should be sure to place the bag next to their mailbox (traditional or non-traditional) prior to regular mail delivery on this Saturday, May 14. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.

 

Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect the food donations that will benefit individuals and families served by Manna Food Bank, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.  

 

For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, please visit https://www.mannahelps.org/events/nalc-food-drive/