Loaves & Fishes looks forward to the second Saturday in May! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and our friends, families, and neighbors lovingly place bags of food by their mailboxes for the Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. This national initiative and tradition have made a difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity for over thirty years.
As I write this, a very long line is forming outside my door at Loaves & Fishes of people who have arrived early to shop in the market. This line has grown significantly over the past several months – the need is just tremendous. Loaves & Fishes has diligently supported this need by offering several locations where people can pick up nutritious food in their local neighborhood, doing our best to bring the food directly to the clients. Now we are experiencing a new challenge – having enough food to meet our needs.
Typically, 56% of our food is rescued from local grocers, 22% is donated, and 22% is purchased. Due to the rising costs of groceries, food rescue from our grocery partners has decreased. Our trucks make over one hundred stops each week. Over the past year, the amount of rescued food has decreased by 20%, forcing us to purchase additional food. This year, we expect to spend nearly three times the amount budgeted on food.
On Saturday, May 13, you can make a difference by placing a bag of non-perishable, unexpired, healthy items by your mailbox for your postal carrier. Or initiate a food drive of your own. You can also purchase our most needed items directly on our website on our Virtual Food Drive.
We hope you will join in the fight to end hunger with this simple act of compassion and service for others who need our help.
