Get your canned donations ready (Post Office food drive)

The post office and letter carriers are doing their annual food drive tomorrow. I figure some might need a reminder tonight to get their parcels ready.

I just wish the USPS wouldn't use the Family Circus characters to promote the drive. Gag I hate that "comic" strip.

:hi:

but hopefully it's a way to get kids interested in the drive.

My daughter and I are going to the store this afternoon. We always pick up enough for one entire meal, from main entree w/ tuna or Spam to veggies to fruit to a simple dessert and even a drink, to set out for the drive.

Mine is ready for tomorrow.

Is anyone else here in the Lounge doing this? We've had a few replies so far in GD. Don't let them beat us!

:hi:

We don't have anything like it - what exactly happens?

letter carrier to pick up on the assigned day while they are doing their regular route. They in turn will drop everything off at the local post office at the end of the day. The local post office will in turn donate everything collected to local food pantries.

It's a wonderful idea. We make sure we participate every year.

(copied from my post in the GD thread)
I work for a hunger-relief agency and the postal food drive is vital in replenishing our stocks this time of year. As the holidays pass and Spring comes along, most donors and volunteers tend to forget that we actually need MORE food in the summer months, as kids are not receiving their free/discounted school breakfast and lunch programs.

And btw everyone, don't be afraid to go above and beyond this - do a food drive in the summer at your work or at a party, or call your local agencies and offer to volunteer!!!

The need is increasing rapidly in bushco's economy, as you can imagine.

Lots of kids and grandmas need your help!!

p.s. I think the Family Circus thing is lame too :)

Did you see the GD post made Greatest Page? Hopefully more will read the thread and remember to set their items out tonight or in the morning.

desired things (at least most food banks probably need the same stuff as we do)

Plastic, cans, and boxes - please no glass because it is harder to transport safely in big food drives like this

Tuna Fish or other canned fish or meat
Beef Stew, Meat Soups
Hearty Soups
Canned Spaghetti or Pasta
Chili
Beans (kidney, pinto, green, yellow, refried or black beans)
Baby Food or Formula
Ensure or other nutritional supplement drinks

Rice
Dry Beans
Noodles, Macaroni
Powdered Milk
Pancake or Baking Mixes
Cereal/Oatmeal
Granola Bars
Peanut Butter
Jelly (in plastic jars)

Personal Care Items
Diapers
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Soap
Shampoo
Disposable Razors

Last kick and I gotta go!

Good weekend everyone!

Banquet has a few varieties on the market. They include their meat, bread/starch and a veggie and they are shelf stable.

I'll get it together right now, before I forget again. :yourock:

You are a wonderful person for thinking of others.

Someone will be only too happy to accept what you have to offer!

Please try to remember and donate if you can.

My three year old helped me get it together. We do it every year. I have been on the recieving end at the food bank in the past and try to give back whenever I can.

I understand what it's like and I do what I can to give back.

My five year old and I do it every year.

You might include some shelf stable soy milk or rice milk, if you can afford it. That way, you can feel good about giving something that is not an animal product and that is needed by someone out there (maybe someone who cannot tolerate dairy).

I threw some canned beans in the bag and some pasta. I'm thinking if I get some rice and lentils, canned tomatoes (I'm out of those myself so I need to check the paper and hope there's a sale someplace) and seasoning packets in there that would constitute a few healthy veg meals.

And someone out there will be quite pleased.

I thought you'd like the idea of the soy/rice milk. Not too many people donate it yet there is a need for the product.

I've thought about it several times this week but hadn't gotten the stuff together.

Anything will help.

Every little bit helps.

I needed to pick up some things, anyway, so I may as well load up on items for the food drive. :hi:

I have my box ready but plan on picking up some rice milk when I get off of work in the morning.

It cost a "wee" bit more than I expected, but that's okay. :D

But it was absolutely worth it.

MeganMonkey had a great idea about making a birthday package to donate. I think my daughter and I will do that for her birthday this year!

ready, but the thing, is...we aren't going to be here in the morning, to give it to them, will they take it, if its near our mail box? I got a ton of canned food leftovers from xmas(still not outdated!), and some ramen noodles, and a ton of tea ....

I went to the Stamp Out Hunger website, listed below, and found that not every post office or zip code might be picking up items. They directed me to the USPS site to determine whether my area was participating. However, the USPS site wasn't helpful either.

http://www.stampouthunger2006.com

I think I'm just going to call my local post offices and find out what they can tell me. Let's hope I get a human being and not the automatic prompts!

He's NEVER this early. I ran downstairs with a bag of food, and he took it with him. Whew!

:hi:

I would have logged on earlier to remind everyone again this morning but had to stay at work late today.

My cans are on the sidewalk waiting for pickup.:bounce:

I hope they picked them up!

I'm getting the bags ready right now!:)

It was even an early pickup today!