The 2017 Stamp Out Hunger food drive in south-central Indiana had a record breaking year! In honor of the 25th Anniversary Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 828, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and United Way of Monroe County challenged local residents to help feed more hungry Hoosiers by donating more food than ever before. And community members responded by giving the most food ever --- 48,826 pounds in Monroe County, which represents nearly a 25% increase, and 94,030 pounds overall from Monroe, Morgan, Daviess, Greene, Orange, Owen, Brown, Lawrence Counties, and Putnam counties.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is very important to local pantries and neighbors in need. In the spring, food supplies are typically lower. As schools let out for the summer, the need for additional food is greater since young students don't have access to free or reduced breakfast and lunch programs. And locally, 1 in 5 children are at risk of going hungry.
In our region, 1 in 6 people face hunger and one-third of these neighbors are not income-eligible for federal nutrition program. This means they rely more on access to healthy, nutritious food from pantries and kitchens like those supported by Stamp Out Hunger and funded by United Way.
Thanks to everyone who donated to help Stamp Out Hunger. We look forward to partnering with you again on Saturday, May 12, 2018.