Our Largest Spring Food Drive Postponed Again

Stamp Out Hunger postponed but still an urgent need for food donations  

The National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has been postponed for the second year due to the coronavirus pandemic; cancelling the largest spring food drive for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in 2021.

Throughout Anne Arundel County, letter carriers and postal workers from 18 post offices collected on average 40,000 pounds of food each year for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank (AACFB) prior to the pandemic. The loss of the largest spring drive comes at a time when the AACFB also has a 71% decrease in overall food drives throughout the county and an increased need of people relying on food pantries. This past year, AACFB has seen a 450% increase in the number of people seeking food and basic necessities; 53% of whom had never been to a food pantry before.

“This food drive historically has been vital to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank to ensure we have enough food to meet the needs of our county,” said Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Anne Arundel County Food Bank. “Donated foods are in low supply and we encourage our Anne Arundel Community members to support the Food Bank through online drives instead.”

The AACFB has implemented several alternatives to make it easier to donate. Their website includes links where you can purchase the most needed food items through Target or Amazon, which is then delivered directly to the AACFB. Additionally, AACFB is accepting monetary donations to purchase food from distributors at discounted prices. Donations can be made by texting FOOD to 41444 or going to the AACFB website at www.aafoodbank.org/donate.