The National Association of Letter Carriers 21st Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was held at the main Airport Post Office in Hilo on Saturday. The National Association of Letter Carriers 21st Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was held
The National Association of Letter Carriers 21st Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was held at the main Airport Post Office in Hilo on Saturday.
“Big Island residents faithfully left out blue donation bags filled with food donations beside their mailboxes early Saturday morning for mail carriers,” said a spokesman for the organization. “Later that morning, labor volunteers began strolling into the main Hilo Post Office to sort nonperishable food donations for The Food Basket.
“Over 100 volunteers attended the AFL-CIO community services labor participation event and lent a hand in unloading trucks, sorting food and loading items in containers. With smiles on their faces, the volunteers quickly unloaded all trucks and vehicles that pulled into the parking lot and distributed the donations for sorting.”
Volunteers ranged in age from teens to retirees, and most remained onsite from as early as 10:30 a.m. to as late as 7:30 p.m. Union retirees also assisted at the event in sorting canned goods and checking expiration dates of items.
The Food Basket reported receiving a total of 30,642 pounds of food in the Hilo district. This broke the record for Hilo last year. The Food Basket announced that by late in the week, the Big Island total stood at 45,784 pounds.
“A big thank you to all volunteers from the following unions and organizations: ILWU 142, HSTA, IBEW 1260, HGEA AFSCME 152, UPW 646, HFFA, Circle K International Club, Hawaii Island United Way, AFL-CIO and NALC, who made it a successful event this year,” said Kelcie Kohara.
