MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
As mailboxes across Reno County prepare for more than just letters and bills this Saturday, local letter carriers are once again rallying to “Stamp Out Hunger,” the nation’s largest single-day food drive, spearheaded by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
Josh Estrella, a longtime letter carrier in Hutchinson, has been participating in the drive since he joined the U.S. Postal Service in 2006. He said the local carriers are aiming to collect more than 20,000 pounds of food this year — a milestone not reached since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is something we do for the community that’s incredibly meaningful,” Estrella said. “We’ve been doing this nationally since 1993, and since then, letter carriers have collected over 1 billion pounds of food across the country.”
The effort is simple, but impactful: residents are encouraged to leave nonperishable food items near their mailboxes on Saturday, May 10. Letter carriers will collect the donations during their normal delivery routes and deliver them to the Reno County Food Bank.
“It may slow us down a bit that day, but it’s worth it,” Estrella said. “We even have retired carriers come out to help. It’s a team effort, and a community effort.”
Donations of canned vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, cereal and boxed meals like macaroni and cheese are especially appreciated. Residents are asked not to donate items in glass containers, as they often break during transport.
“If you’re going shopping this week, grab a few extra items,” Estrella said. “That way you’re not pulling from your pantry — and you avoid donating anything expired.”
Those who might be out of town on Saturday can set out donations earlier in the week. Plastic donation bags and reminder postcards are being delivered beginning Tuesday.
The drive also accepts monetary donations. Checks should be made out to the Reno County Food Bank and placed in a clearly labeled envelope inside the mailbox — no stamp needed. Cash donations should follow the same process.
“Every item we collect stays right here in Reno County,” Estrella said. “This is a way for every resident to give back and help local families facing food insecurity.”
Last year, Hutchinson carriers collected just over 18,800 pounds of food. Route 26 — covering the city’s west side — took home bragging rights for the most collected. Estrella said there’s a friendly rivalry among routes, with carriers even weighing their loads at the dock to keep track.
“Once the trucks start backing up and the doors open, seeing all that food pour out is such a good feeling,” Estrella said.
Processing the food is an all-hands-on-deck operation. The Reno County Food Bank sends a crew to the post office Saturday afternoon, where volunteers and carriers sort, weigh, and load items into delivery trucks for distribution.
“From kids to retirees, Scouts to church groups, it takes the whole community,” Estrella said. “We just hope folks continue that generosity this year.”
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive takes place nationwide on Saturday, May 10. Residents are encouraged to leave their donations outside early in the day to ensure pickup.
For more information about the drive or to find ways to help, contact the local post office or visit nalc.org/food-drive.