Franklin Letter Carriers’ Food Drive a Record-breaking Success

Postal workers deliver 4.5 tons of food to the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin letter carriers collected more than 9,229 pounds of food from area residents and delivered it to the Franklin Food Pantry on May 9 in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The amount is more than double last year’s record of 4,585 pounds of food that was donated by residents and picked up by postal workers during normal mail rounds.

The record 9,229 pounds of food was more than double last year’s tally of 4,585 pounds.

Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting almost 73 million pounds of food last year.

“We were completely overwhelmed by the amount of food and household necessities we received this year,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “The generosity of this community and the outpouring of support are truly heartwarming. We are so thankful for the hard work of the postal carriers, the kindness of our neighbors, and the help of so many volunteers on that day. Many people in our community were engaged in making this effort such a success.”

Franklin letter carrier Rich Maloney organized this year’s record-breaking Stamp Out Hunger food drive, part of a nationwide effort sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers

Part of the success of this year’s drive was due to yellow Stamp Out Hunger bags that were placed in residents’ mailboxes as a reminder to put out their food donations. The postal workers were thrilled to see the impact that resulted – double the amount of donations over last year.

Postmaster Mike Catalano and wife Lauren came out to the event to show support and lend a hand in unloading the trucks. “We are really honored to be a part of such a worthwhile cause,” said Catalano. “I was so proud to see our trucks arrive overflowing with food donations. The letter carriers gladly worked twice as hard this year to help families in need in Franklin. What a great community to be a part of.” Catalano said that Franklin letter carrier and Stamp Out Hunger coordinator Rich Maloney was instrumental in organizing such a successful drive this year.

Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry executive director, and Mike Catalano, Franklin Postmaster, lend a hand in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive for the Franklin Food Pantry

During Saturday’s food drive, the fleet of mail trucks was greeted by dozens of Pantry volunteers who unloaded the trucks, weighed the bags, sorted items and stacked them on shelves. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive helps replenish the Pantry’s inventory that has been depleted of its donations received during its busiest time of the year, the November/December holiday season.

The Franklin Food Pantry, established in 1987, provides immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions by empowering the community through resources, education and collaboration. It is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network and depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners, schools, churches and community members. For more information, or to make a donation, visit franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.