Nations largest single-day food drive returns to Tampa Bay for 33rd year
The 33rd Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' event was held in Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Residents across Tampa Bay left non-perishables in their mailboxes for letter carriers to pick up and bring to local food pantries.
According to the NALC, food insecurity has reached a 'crisis level' in the nation with more than 44 million people unsure where their next meal will come from.
TAMPA - The largest single-day food drive in the nation returned to the Tampa Bay Area on Saturday as the National Association of Letter Carriers held their 33rd Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' event.
Residents across Tampa Bay left non-perishables in their mailboxes for letter carriers to pick up and bring to local food pantries.
Metropolitan Ministries and The Hope Villages of America were among some of the contributing food banks.
Big picture view
According to the NALC, food insecurity has reached a 'crisis level' in the nation with more than 44 million people unsure where their next meal will come from.
Metro Ministries joined the event on Saturday for the eighth year and nine Bay Area post offices participated.
What they're saying
"This drive really helps us and boosts us, especially in the summertime. We start to see donations slip in the summertime. People are on vacation, the snowbirds go back," said Brensey Thompson, Director of Marketing & Communications. "We're super thankful for all of our volunteers who are helping us and very appreciative of the letter carriers. They are doing double duty today."
Hope Villages of America in Clearwater collected more than 80,000 pounds of food.
Melvin Thomas, Senior Vice President of Operations said, "We really depend on this because it's the largest food drive or us throughout the whole year."
Thomas said the event couldn't have come at a better time. He said, "Our shelves were empty, as you can see, so this is crucial for us. Whatever we have on hand that day, that's what we're able to give out."
READ: Pinellas County could bring Cross Bay Ferry service back by buying two of their own boats
Thomas said so many families are facing roadblock after roadblock.
"First, we had the hurricanes. We saw an increase after that. Now we have the loss of jobs with the reorganization of things." In addition to inflation. "The cost of groceries are going up so that's less that they can buy so the need is more," he added.
What you can do
For more information on how to get involved, you can visit their website.
CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
The Source
Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
Download the SkyTower Radar app
Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
31 minutes ago
- Washington Post
How to tackle pesky grease spots on laundry
Q: How can I remove grease spots from clothing? A: If you act promptly and the fabric is washable, spatters or spills of cooking oil, bacon grease or hamburger juice — and even grease from chores in the garage — can be relatively easy to remove. Just don't expect to rinse them out with plain water.
Bloomberg
31 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
A Photographer's Pipe Dream: Capturing New York's Vast Water System
CityLab Culture In a new edition of his book Waterworks, Stanley Greenberg documents his adventures through the city's 200-year-old network of reservoirs, aqueducts and sewers. Most New Yorkers have probably heard the adage that the city's tap water is among the cleanest and tastiest in the world. But few have much knowledge of the vast system that brings said water to their taps (and then flushes it back out into the ocean). Photographer Stanley Greenberg wants to educate New Yorkers, and everyone else, about this everyday miracle. In 2003, he released Waterworks, a book exploring the far-flung corners of the city's water infrastructure, much of which is off-limits to the general public.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dear Abby: My friend is on his third marriage — should I tell him why?
DEAR ABBY: My husband's best friend, 'Herb,' (aka 'Mr. Cheapo') is getting married for the third time. He's planning the wedding and suggesting the attendees pay for their meals. I told my husband that Herb is setting himself up for failure again. (Not to mention he's having his fiancee sign a prenup as he did with his other two wives.) I'm beside myself just thinking about it. Attendees have expenses, too, and what will his fiancee think when people send their regrets or don't bring a gift? I'm ready to override my husband's suggestion not to educate this man on wedding etiquette. Otherwise, Herb's a super guy, very nice and well-mannered. I know for a fact that his cheapness destroyed his second marriage and a subsequent relationship. Both women complained profusely to me about it before storming out. Should I educate Herb? — SEES THE WRITING ON THE WALL DEAR 'SEES': From what you have written about Herb, he is not doing what he's doing out of ignorance. If you would like to be helpful, quietly suggest to his fiancee that when he hands her the prenup document, she have it reviewed by her own lawyer to avoid any surprises in the future (or she could hand him one of her own). DEAR ABBY: I am a 54-year-old mother of two, a wife and a full-time teacher. My days are long, busy and usually uneventful. Every evening, I am expected to call my 84-year-old mother, who lives a few states away. I oblige, of course, listening patiently to all of her stories, ranting and gossip. If, for any reason, I happen to fall asleep or forget to call, it's as if my face will be plastered on a milk carton. The texts and emails start, as well as calls and texts to my husband and sometimes even my children. Abby, I have tried explaining that this leaves me annoyed and frustrated, only to be dismissed with, 'Well guess what X said today?' Or, 'Did I tell you what R said to J?' (Yes, you did, in fact, twice already). Should I bite my tongue or insist on a better schedule that will hopefully prove to be mutually beneficial? It's difficult to engage in meaningful conversations when they are forced and mostly one-sided. — BURDENED IN NEW YORK DEAR BURDENED: It is within your power to curtail the schedule your mother has instituted. However, doing so will require a conversation with her that may not be pleasant for either of you. Tell her you will call her once (or twice) a week, because talking daily isn't working for you. Tell her that if she wants to gossip, she should do it with her contemporaries rather than demand you listen on a daily basis. Be prepared for the fact that she isn't going to like it. If she calls your husband or children to complain, ask them to please reiterate to her that you are fine, but you are too busy to talk, and that she should expect your calls at the agreed-upon time. P.S. If her memory is faulty, she should be evaluated by her doctor. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Solve the daily Crossword
