This weekend, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will kick off its annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive in Omaha to benefit six local nonprofits. United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is proud to join NALC Branch 5, Teamsters Local 554, Kemps, the United States Postal Service and the Omaha Federation of Labor AFL-CIO in inviting our community to donate nonperishable food items to support individuals experiencing food insecurity.

Stamp Out Hunger begins this weekend and continues through the week with letter carriers dropping off bags at homes across the metro. For homes that receive a bag, letter carriers will then collect all food donations that are bagged and left outside by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 9. Patrons who set out bags are also encouraged to include a note for their letter carrier – thanking them for their hard work and participation in Stamp Out Hunger.

“This is something that all letter carriers feel very strongly about,” said Chuck Walls, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 5. “We want to support the communities we serve and make sure we can help fight food insecurity any way possible. Last year we collected 197,000 lbs. of food, and we’re looking to beat that number this year.”

Letter carriers request that donors contribute nonperishable and unexpired food items, excluding items in glass containers, as they are easily broken. Most commonly needed items include peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, tuna, cereal, pasta, oatmeal and boxed meals. All collected food will be delivered to Heartland Family Service, Heartland Hope Mission, Salvation Army, Siena Francis House, Stephen Center and St. Vincent de Paul for distribution to families and individuals seeking food assistance.

“In recent reports from our nonprofit partners, there’s a consistent message about the increasing demand for food – and there are currently nearly 120,000 people across the metro who are worried about putting food on the table,” said Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO, United Way of the Midlands. “There’s not a more basic need than having access to enough food and Stamp Out Hunger is an important way our community can come together to help our neighbors in need who are struggling with food insecurity.”

For more information about this year’s campaign, visit UnitedWayMidlands.org/StampOutHunger.

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About United Way of the Midlands:
Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bridging the business and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – like 211 and JAG Nebraska – focus on four key areas to improve health and well-being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow. Learn more at UnitedWayMidlands.org.