Stamp Out Hunger

To the Editor:

Once again, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service are hosting Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest single-day food drive. AARP is a sponsor of this amazing opportunity. Together, we can make a big difference by donating non-perishable food items that will help many of our friends and neighbors. The truth is one person going hungry in Maine is one person too many.

Last year, an AARP Foundation report revealed that hunger among older Americans has jumped nearly 80 percent in just ten years. 50 million Americans are at risk of hunger across the country and 9 million are age 50 and older. Here in Maine, the news is no better. In each of the categories measured in the report, Maine fared very poorly when compared to other New England states. In some cases, Maine had the worst statistics for the entire Northeast region.

I hope everyone will participate in Stamp Out Hunger on May 12th. Here’s how it works: On May 12th, letter carriers across the country will collect non-perishable food donations from their postal customers at the same time as they deliver the mail. They – in some cases with the help of volunteers – will then deliver these donations to a local food bank or pantry. Households nationwide will be alerted to the opportunity to participate in this food drive through a postcard or bag delivered to their home. This is a terrific and easy way to help those in need in every community across the state.

Dr. Erica Magnus,

AARP Outreach Volunteer