One in 7 people in Snohomish County are food insecure, making hunger one of the most pressing issues facing our community. Each month, more than 10,000 people receive emergency food from Volunteers of America’s Western Washington food banks — over 50 percent of them are children and seniors. In just a single day, half of the food donations used by these food banks are collected through the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive. If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to fight hunger in our community, this is your chance to help.
This year’s food drive is on Saturday, May 9. You can participate in this food drive from the comfort of your own home by leaving nonperishable food items at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up on Saturday. Food donations can be left in the yellow plastic bags that are being placed in mailboxes this week, or in any other bag or box. Every donation makes a difference.
Are you donating this year? Use #FeedSnoCo on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and show your community how you’re participating.
This food drive is a national event, and here in Snohomish County it is organized by National Association of Letter Carriers Local 791, Volunteers of America Western Washington, United Way of Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Labor Council.
Last year, 248,506 pounds of food were collected for this event, providing 194,145 meals for Snohomish County families. Our goal is to surpass 250,000 pounds of food this year, and with your help, we can do it. Whether this is your first year participating in this food drive or your 23rd, we thank you. Because of you, hunger is being addressed in our community, and children and families are receiving the critical nutritional support they need.
Brian Sullivan is a Snohomish County Councilman. Leonard Kelley is the mayor of Stanwood and secretary treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council.
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