"Most of our neighbors were having a hard time making ends meet even before the tremendous increase in the cost of living came along," Network CEO Abbie Kauffman said.
The food drive, which is on the second Saturday in May annually, will be held May 13 across the city of Richardson. Residents who receive service from the city’s Belle Grove or Apollo Road post offices can set out bags of food at their mailbox, and letter carriers will pick it up when their mail is delivered. Residents can also donate food items at Network’s headquarters, located at 1500 International Parkway, Ste. 300, directly. Residents can find which post office serves them here.
A limited number of yellow bags will be distributed to homes the week of the event, but any grocery bag can be used to place nonperishable items at their mailbox, according to Network officials.
According to Kauffman, the Richardson community on average spends over 90% of their income on housing expenses, leaving little left for medical care, transportation and food. The food drive is designed to help bolster the variety and quantity of food in Network's Community Food Market, which provides nutritional items for neighbors in need.
Network of Community Ministries is a community-based nonprofit organization serving over 60,000 individuals annually in the Richardson area. The organization offers community services, including mobile food distribution and a dental voucher program.
The annual food drive started in 1993 as a service event to drive food collection and community service across the country. With at least one NALC branch in each of the 50 states participating, the event has contributed 1.75 billion pounds of food collection as of 2019, according to NALC officials.
“The Stamp out Hunger Food Drive is a chance for the Letter Carriers of Richardson to give back something extra to the community we serve," said David Jermyn, health benefits representative for the Richardson NALC Branch.
For more information on the event or to donate to Network's food bank efforts, visit here.
