Monroe County, Indiana – On Saturday, May 10, mailboxes throughout Monroe County will once again become drop-off points for the largest single-day food collection effort in the area. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 828 will lead the local Stamp Out Hunger food drive, a nationwide initiative that encourages residents to help fight hunger by simply leaving food donations near their mailboxes.
All food collected in Monroe County will be delivered to Hoosier Hills Food Bank (HHFB), where it will be sorted and distributed to nearly 90 partner agencies throughout the region. With food insecurity still affecting many families and recent cuts to federal food supplies, the drive is expected to play a crucial role in restocking shelves.
To participate, residents are asked to leave non-perishable food donations—such as canned meats, fruits, and vegetables—at their mailboxes by the time mail is delivered on May 10. Letter carriers and volunteers will gather the donations and return them to their local post offices, where HHFB staff and trucks will be waiting to collect them.
“We count on this food drive to supply us with a large amount of food and this year it is more important than ever,” said Julio Alonso, executive director of Hoosier Hills Food Bank. “Food pantry lines are still very high and with the recent loss of some federal commodities, it has become harder for us to meet the need. We’re hoping for a big response.”
Last year’s event brought in an impressive 36,179 pounds of food, and organizers are hoping to beat that number in 2025. Top items needed this year include canned protein, fruits, and vegetables. Residents are reminded not to donate expired or open food or anything packaged in glass jars.
“Letter carriers look forward each year to helping our communities as we fill our trucks with your food donations,” said NALC Branch 828 President Joshua Peterson. “The food drive happens rain or shine! We invite our customers to join in America’s great day of giving and help ‘Stamp Out Hunger.’”
Financial donations are also encouraged for those who prefer to support the food bank in other ways. A postcard with a QR code linking to the donation page at www.hhfoodbank.org will be delivered to all Monroe County postal addresses in the coming days. A donation bag will also be included to make it even easier for households to participate.
Beyond food and financial contributions, volunteers are needed as well. Community members with vehicles are encouraged to help collect donations from specific routes, while others will be needed in the weeks ahead to help sort the incoming food. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Ryan at [email protected].
Stamp Out Hunger is a collaboration between the National Association of Letter Carriers, the United States Postal Service, and the Rural Letter Carriers Association. In Monroe County, it is further supported by Kroger and United Way of South Central Indiana.
Food collected outside Monroe County will be directed to local food relief organizations in those communities, ensuring that donations stay local and support those most in need.
With so many hands involved—from postal workers and nonprofit staff to volunteers and generous donors—the success of Stamp Out Hunger truly depends on community participation. This year’s food drive isn’t just another collection event—it’s a collective effort to ensure that families across the region have enough to eat.
For more information about the food drive or to make an online donation, visit www.hhfoodbank.org.
