[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS ANNUAL ``STAMP OUT HUNGER'' 
                               FOOD DRIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on their continued 
efforts to eliminate hunger in the United States by creating and 
sponsoring the ``Stamp Out Hunger'' Annual Food Drive, the largest one-
day food drive in the country.
   On the second Saturday of May, letter carriers across the United 
States collect food donations on their postal routes to deliver to 
community food banks, shelters, and pantries. Each year, over 175,000 
letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns participate in 
Stamp Out Hunger, which collected 71 million pounds of food nationwide 
in the last year.
   Stamp Out Hunger began as a pilot program in just ten cities. But 
soon it became clear that the food drive was a resounding success, and 
it was expanded nationwide. The program asks postal patrons to place a 
box or bag of food next to their mailboxes. The food is then picked up, 
sorted at postal stations and then delivered to local food banks by 
letter carriers.
   In my state of California, The California State Association of 
Letter Carriers is among the top contributors in the nation to the food 
drive, collecting over 6 million pounds of food in 2015 alone. It is my 
hope that during the month of May, more Americans will consider 
becoming involved in the NALC Food Drive to help those members of our 
communities who face hunger every day.
   I express my strong appreciation for America's Letter Carriers, and 
their tradition of community service and commitment to improving the 
lives of needy citizens. I also wish to acknowledge the NALC's 
organizing partners--the United States Postal Service, United Food and 
Commercial Workers International, National Rural Letter Carriers 
Association, United Way Worldwide, AFL CIO, Valpak, and Valassis for 
their assistance and support for the Letter Carriers Food Drive.
   Finally, I urge each American to leave a can of food by their 
mailbox on the second Saturday in May. Together, we can Stamp Out 
Hunger and make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

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