Let's "Stamp Out Hunger" in Kansas

More than six and a half percent of older adults in Kansas face the threat of hunger

We’re counting down the days now to the 2013 Stamp Out Hunger annual food drive to tackle the serious issue of hunger faced by millions of older adults.  AARP and AARP Foundation are once again joining the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the U.S. Postal Service for their 21st annual food drive to help “Stamp Out Hunger” on Saturday, May 11.

On the second Saturday in May each year, in America’s largest single day food drive, letter carriers across the country pick up bags of non-perishable food products left for them by households on their usual routes—and deliver those donations to local food banks and pantries.

AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins says nearly 9 million adults age 50 and older are uncertain where their next meal may be coming from.  But, she says, working together we can put an end to this issue.  Everyone who can is encouraged to join in this effort and fill a bag with food, leave it by your mailbox, and help your community members in need.

Kansas ranks 27 ^th in the country for the number of adults age 50 and older who are at risk of going hungry.  Stamp Out Hunger is a way for Kansans to help those living in their area of the state who may not be able to afford to buy enough food to eat.

AARP Foundation has donated more than 15 million Drive to End Hunger paper grocery bags (including 100,000 bags for residents of Kansas City, Kansas) printed in both English and Spanish, to help meet the growing need of all Americans – including hungry older adults, who often suffer in silence.  Drive to End Hunger will also feature four-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jeff Gordon to emphasize the importance of the food drive.

AARP Foundation’s participation in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive aligns with one of the Foundation’s overall initiatives to feed those who are hungry now, while also developing long-term, sustainable solutions to the root causes of hunger among those 50 and older. Drive to End Hunger is AARP and AARP Foundation’s multipronged focus on the problem of older adult hunger in America. For more information about Drive to End Hunger visit www.drivetoendhunger.org. To find out how you can help Stamp Out Hunger, go to www.facebook.com/stampouthunger or on Twitter @stampouthunger.