Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Heath Shuler joined with Manna Food Bank and the
National Association of Letter Carriers to kick-off the Stamp Out Hunger! campaign on Friday,
May 8th.
Stamp Out Hunger! is the largest single-day food drive in the nation, during which postal carriers
collect non-perishable food items along their route. Postal carriers will be collecting food on
Saturday, May 9th. The food collected will then be delivered to Manna Food Bank to assist
people in Western North Carolina.
The Stamp Out Hunger! drive arrives on the heels of a new study of USDA data released on May
8th entitled “Child Food Insecurity in the US, 2005 – 2007.” The study analyzed food insecurity
among very young children (birth to four years of age) on a state-by-state basis. The study found
that 24.1% of children under 5 in North Carolina are food insecure, the 2nd highest in the
county. 19.4% of all North Carolina children (18 and under) are food insecure, the 10th highest
in the nation.
“It is appalling to me that so many young children live at risk of being malnourished and
hungry. Early childhood hunger can lead to irreversible health damage and negatively impact
kids’ ability to learn effectively in school and succeed later in life,” commented Shuler.
The study was conducted from 2005-2007. “These numbers… reflect an economy from
2005-2007 that was much healthier than it is now, leading us to believe that these numbers could
be even higher than this study indicates,” remarked Joshua Stack of MANNA Food Bank.
“I applaud the local churches and faith-based groups who have been collecting food over the past
few weeks, and encourage everyone to take part in the food drive now being organized by the
postal carriers. I am working hard in Washington to ensure that our kids get access to proper
nutrition and am glad to have a partner in the Manna Food Bank. With our entire community
aware of the problem of local childhood hunger and working to overcome it, I am confident that
we can turn this number around and ensure food security for all children in Western North
Carolina,” said Shuler.
Note: Postal carriers will be collecting non-perishable food items on Saturday, May 9th. People
wishing to donate food should leave items in a bag, next to their mailbox.
###
Download: Rep. Shuler to Join Manna Food Bank & NALC to Stamp Out Hunger!