MAY 7, 2009 ISSUE
Watauga County Gets Ready to Stamp Out Hunger Saturday
This Saturday, May 9, The Hunger & Health Coalition, local letter carriers and Mountain First Bank are teaming up to Stamp Out Hunger in the High Country with the 17th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive.
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the largest one-day drive in the nation, with more than 10,000 cities and town participating. Locally, post offices throughout the county will be working with rural letter carriers to collect bags of food to donate to the Food Pantry at the Hunger and Health Coalition (HHC).
According to Compton Fortuna, HHC executive director, “This year’s drive could not come at a better time. The economy has forced many local families to find ways to make ends meet during this difficult time. Over 500 families turn to the Hunger & Health Coalition each month to help supplement their food resources. This is an increase of more than 30 percent.”
Last year, Watauga County collected more than 7,000 pounds of nonperishable foods. Everyone is hoping that this year will be even more successful.
According to Crystal Winebarger, HHC director of operations, the HHC is in need of more food donations. “The amount of food we can receive from Second Harvest Food Bank has declined, at the same time, the need has risen. We are hoping the community will help fill the Food Pantry so that we can continue to feed local families.
The Hunger & Health Coalition operates five food assistance programs for low income residents in Watauga County. Donations from the Stamp Out Hunger food drive support the Food Pantry program, which provides a food package to families once per month. Families with children can now receive food twice per month. Each month, the Hunger & Health Coalition distributes more than 20,000 pounds of nonperishable foods through the Food Pantry program.
Participating in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive couldn’t be easier. On Saturday, May 9, simply hang a bag of nonperishable food on your mailbox or bring your donation to your local post office. Letter carriers and postal employees will work with volunteers to collect the food and deliver it to the Food Pantry at the Hunger & Health Coalition. The Hunger & Health Coalition is hopeful that 2009 will be the largest collection in local history. If you have questions or need more information, call 262-1628 or email hungerc@bellsouth.net.
The Hunger & Health Coalition is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1982, and had been actively serving the community for 27 years. Each month, the Hunger & Health Coalition provides an average of 500 boxes of food that feeds an average of 1,300 people. One in every three fed is a child under 18 years of age. In addition, more than 2,000 meals are repackaged and distributed, and an average of 600 prescriptions are dispensed. The Hunger and Health Coalition is a member of the High Country United Way.
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