Fill a bag with food for hunger relief May 11

To tackle the serious issue of hunger faced by millions of older adults – including more than 200,000 in Michigan -- AARP and AARP Foundation today announced that on Saturday, May 11, they are joining the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the U.S. Postal Service’s 21st annual food drive to help “Stamp Out Hunger.” 

On the second Saturday in May each year, in America’s largest single day food drive, known officially as Stamp Out Hunger, 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.  To encourage food donations, AARP Foundation has donated 235,200 food collection bags for distribution in Michigan.

“Nearly 9 million adults age 50 and older are uncertain where their next meal may be coming from. Working together, we can put an end to this problem,” said AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins. “We encourage everyone who can to join us in this effort and fill a bag with food, leave it by your mailbox, and help your community members in need.”

AARP Michigan State Director Jacqueline Morrison said food banks across the state need help to provide relief to Michiganders who go to bed hungry.

“ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ is an easy, efficient and effective way to help out your local food banks,” Morrison said. 

AARP Foundation has donated more than 15 million Drive to End Hunger paper grocery bags 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 http://www.drivetoendhunger.org/. To find out how you can help Stamp Out Hunger, go to www.facebook.com/stampouthunger or on Twitter @stampouthunger.