Campbell Soup Company, U.S. Postal Service and Feeding America join the National Association of Letter Carriers Effort to Help Stamp Out Hunger(TM)
CAMDEN, N.J., May 04, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –On Saturday, May 8, Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) will join forces with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the U.S. Postal Service to Stamp Out Hunger across America to provide assistance to the one in six Americans who struggle with hunger.
This year Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest single-day food drive, will look to surpass one billion pounds of food collected since its inception in 1993. Last year, letter carriers across the country collected a record total of more than 73.4 million pounds of food. But with hunger impacting 49.1 million Americans, including 16.7 million children, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual study measuring food security in the United States; help is needed now more than ever before.
“In these trying times it’s important for Americans to rally behind causes like the Letter Carriers Food Drive to help their neighbors struggling with hunger,” said Fredric V. Rolando, NALC president. “While we’re very proud of our success over the years in the battle against hunger, the fact remains that more Americans than ever are in need, which is why we remain committed to this drive.”
To help Stamp Out Hunger this year, simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, like canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal, next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on May 8. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. The nation’s 230,000 letter carriers will be collecting donations from homes across the country and delivering them to food banks and other hunger relief organizations in more than 10,000 local communities.
“The commitment and dedication of thousands of letter carriers, rural letter carriers, and postal and community volunteers, plus the involvement of corporate partners will make a difference in helping to feed America’s hungry as we seek to surpass the record of 73.4 million pounds of food collected,” added Postmaster General John Potter. “The generosity of our customers and the determination of our employees have never been stronger.”
Stamp Out Hunger
In a recent survey conducted by Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic-hunger-relief organization, its 203 food bank members consistently reported increased demand for emergency food assistance, ranging from 5 to 150 percent. Food banks are also notoriously empty during summer months, having exhausted the supply of donations received from food drives conducted during the holidays that are then distributed during spring. Summer donations are even more critical since many children in need no longer have the benefit of their school lunch program.
“More than 49 million Americans live at risk of hunger, so please join me, my wife Courteney and millions of other generous Americans on Saturday, May 8 by placing a non-perishable food donation next to your mailbox to help the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger,” said David Arquette, chairman of Feeding America’s Entertainment Council who, alongside his wife, Courteney Cox, participated in a print, television and radio public service announcements to support the letter carriers’ efforts.
A Helping Hand
As part of its support for the drive, Campbell will donate one can of soup to Feeding America (up to one million cans) for each Facebook fan that joins the fight against hunger at www.facebook.com/StampOutHunger. The company also sponsors, along with the U.S. Postal Service, a reminder postcard being mailed to more than 120 million homes the week of the drive.
“We are absolutely committed to making a positive impact for our consumers, our planet, our employees and our community,” said Douglas R. Conant, Campbell’s President and CEO. “Campbell’s ongoing commitment to Stamp Out Hunger allows our company to make a meaningful contribution toward the critical issue of hunger that is impacting more and more Americans daily. The power of this program is when millions of Americans have the opportunity to provide a food donation that will then be used to help a neighbor in need in their community.”
For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger effort in your community, ask your letter carrier, contact your local post office or visit www.helpstampouthunger.com. You can also follow the drive at www.twitter.com/StampOutHunger or text STAMP3 to 30305* to sign up for mobile reminders.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks, and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s,” and “V8.” For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website at www.campbellsoup.com.
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit https://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Feeding America or follow our news on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Feedingamerica.
About the National Association of Letter Carriers
The National Association of Letter Carriers union is the collective bargaining representative for all city delivery letter carriers of the U.S. Postal Service throughout the United States, with 295,000 active and retired members. It is an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
About the United States Postal Service
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.
SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyJohn Faulkner, 856-342-3738[email protected]orMike Gehrig, 512-794-4712[email protected]