Valpak pledges to help the NALC by featuring the event on some 40 million Valpak envelopes distributed across the United States as a donation to support the cause.  This year, in addition to the in-kind donation worth more than $1 million, Valpak will donate $1 for every new Valpak Facebook fan (up to $5,000) to Feeding America.  

“Hunger is a reality for people in every community across America,” said Deanna Willsey, director of corporate communications for Valpak.  “By making it easier for people to donate food, the NALC is making a big difference in the fight to stop hunger.  Valpak is proud to support the NALC and promote Stamp Out Hunger again this year.”

The NALC food drive began 18 years ago, noting the severe shortage of food that families encounter in the summer months. Because many children receive food from school programs, families are hit extra hard when children are out of school for the summer.

In addition, late spring is often the time when food banks are struggling, as the donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have long been donated.

Last year, the NALC Stamp Out Hunger food drive set a record of 73.4 million pounds in non-perishable donations, bringing the total for the 17 years of the drive to 982.7 million pounds.  In 2010, letter carriers have the opportunity to break through the 1 billion-pound level.

Although last year the NALC was able to collect more food than ever, this year there are more people who need support.  In a survey cited by Feeding America, “More than half (55 percent) of food banks reported that they or the agencies who help distribute the food they provide have had to turn people away in the last year.”