Submitted by Tylar Wertenberger, United Way of Payne County
The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place in Stillwater on May 10, 2025 to collect non-perishable food items that will be donated to local nonprofits fighting food insecurity.
The National Association of Letter Carriers started the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive in 1993 after discovering that most food banks start running out of food in early spring. The first year, this nationwide effort collected over 11 million pounds of food and is currently the country’s largest single-day food drive.
Oklahoma ranks 10th in the nation for food insecurity with more than 656,000 Oklahomans lacking consistent access to nutritious food every day. Participating in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive provides relief to those who do not have access to nutritious food.
“It’s really important that we give back to our communities in one way or another," said Brenden Swan, Payne County letter carrier. “There are approximately 13,150 people, 16.1%, in Payne County that will go hungry tonight. That’s higher than the state average of 14.6%.”
Swan has been organizing the food drive in Stillwater for 6 years and has a goal of collecting 14,000 pounds of food this year.
Stillwater residents can easily participate by placing a bag of non-perishable food items near their mailbox before mail delivery time on Saturday, May 10. Payne County letter carriers will then collect, sort, and donate items to Our Daily Bread and The Salvation Army.
Suggested non-perishable items to donate include canned goods (meats, fruits or vegetables), pasta, rice, soups, peanut butter, granola bars, cereal, nuts, beans, olive oil and dried fruit.
“We need to step up, to help our local families and individuals in our community. By taking the time to pack a few cans and walk them out to your mailbox. That little bit of effort will go a long way,” Swan said.
Join your neighbors and letter carriers in the fight against food insecurity. One bag of non-perishable food items can make a dramatic difference in the lives of Payne County residents.
