Every year on the second Saturday of May, letter carriers nationwide collect food to help families in need.

That need — to keep food on the table — grows each year, especially due to the pandemic as well as the rising costs of housing and groceries.

The National Association of Letter Carriers has been hosting the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive for over 20 years.

As someone who grew up in a household that couldn't always keep food on the table, this food drive is incredibly important to Tonisha Williams, who is taking the reins locally.

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“If it wasn't for things like the letter carrier food drive and the food pantries, my brothers and I would have gone to bed hungry some nights, and I am truly thankful and blessed that we never had to experience that," Williams said. "It's all thanks to our local food pantries and communities coming together to help each other.”

The food drive is on Saturday, May 13, and all you have to do is put some non-perishable food items in a bag and leave them by your mailbox on that date. Your letter carrier will handle the rest and the food gets split up between food pantries and soup kitchens in each community.

Williams wholeheartedly supports the food drive and the families it helps.

Courtesy Tonisha Williams
Courtesy Tonisha Williams
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“I like people knowing that there's nothing wrong with needing help sometimes and taking that help," Williams said. "I'm just grateful my mom wasn't too proud to take help when she needed it. That's why I like people to know they don't have to be embarrassed or feel bad for needing a hand. We're all in this together."

When a community unites and neighbors have one another's backs, it's a beautiful thing to witness.

"I remember growing up and community was everything. Everyone just helped each other, I don't see it much these days anymore, unfortunately," Williams said. "Things like this food drive always show me that there's still a sense of community out there.”

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