[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS' ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
National Association of Letter Carriers for its efforts to combat 
hunger in America through its annual national food drive.
  Each year, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more 
than 10,000 cities collect canned food along their postal routes to 
supply local food banks. Last year, over 50 million pounds of food were 
donated to feed the hungry, and I am confident that 1999's drive will 
be an even greater success. In just seven years of operation, the 
National Association of Letter Carrier's national food drive has grown 
into America's largest one-day food collection effort.
  To participate, residents in participating communities need only 
place a can of non-perishable food near their mailbox--their letter 
carrier does the rest. In addition to making regular pick-ups and 
deliveries, their letter carrier collects donations and transports them 
to a nearby postal station. Food is then sorted and distributed to 
local charities.
  Mr. President, an estimated 30 million people go hungry every day in 
America. Food shortages hit children especially hard in the summer 
months, when school lunches are not available and many charity pantries 
run out of supplies donated during the Winter holiday season. The 
Letter Carriers' food drive makes a critical contribution at a time 
when help is urgently needed.
  I commend the National Association of Letter Carriers for its 
leadership in organizing this annual event. The NALC's organizing 
partners--the United States Postal Service, the AFL-CIO, and the United 
Way--also deserve our thanks.
  Finally, Mr. President, I urge each American to leave a can of food 
by the mailbox on Saturday. Together, we can fight hunger and make a 
difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

                          ____________________