Update: On their routes Saturday, May 11, mail carriers collected 100,119 pounds of food, as part of the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive.
The preliminary results were announced by the United Way of the Quad Cities on Saturday evening.
"All donations collected in the Quad Cities will stay in our community and be distributed by (the) River Bend Foodbank," said Marci Zogg, with United Way.
Original: United Way of the Quad Cities and the National Association of Letter Carriers is working to gather non-perishable food donations for the local River Bend Foodbank during the 27th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
On Saturday, May 11, Quad Citizens are asked to leave a donation of non-perishable food items next to their mailboxes before the delivery of the mail. Letter carriers will collect the bags and food donations as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
The organization says the donations will stay in the community and are given to local pantries and shelters for those in need.
“One in eight households face food insecurity in the U.S., and on a local level, one out of three families in the Quad Cities can barely cover basic daily living expenses,” United Way of the Quad Cities, President and CEO, Rene Gellerman said. “The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a great way to easily support your fellow Quad Citizens. The donations stay in our community so we can continue to improve the Quad Cities as a whole.”
The top requested non-perishable food items are cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans (canned or dry). Those who are donating can also donate healthy, low-sodium, low-sugar items such as beans, oatmeal and other whole grains, and canola or olive oil.
No frozen food, homemade food, home-canned items, items in glass containers or expired food will be accepted.
To find out if your letter carrier is participating, please visit your local post office.
For more information about the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit their website.