Mailbox Food Drive Sees Drop in Donations

Annual Food Drive Helps Meets Summer Needs

Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) The Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive brought in significantly fewer donations this year than in 2018. The May 11 collection brought in 10,030 pounds of food, a 40 percent decrease from the previous year’s collection of 16,910 pounds.

A combination of factors may have led to the drop in donations. “The Letter Carriers were not able to provide bags this year. The cost was prohibitive,” said Cheryl Lewis Hartl, Soup or Socks Director. “Also the postcards that were given out, they were not able to provide to outlying areas. Those things may have led to the decrease.”

Donations are split 50/50 between Soup or Socks, and St. Vincent de Paul Outreach, who each depend on the drive to stock the shelves through summer. Volunteers sorted donations and were finished by noon on Monday.

While organizers try to let the public know that expired food cannot be accepted, an estimated 10 percent of the donations ends up needing to be thrown away because items are expired, or even half used.

“The amount of outdated food and opened items continues to surprise me,” said Lewis Hartl. “It’s disappointing when we need to throw donations in the garbage.”

Last summer, over 70 families with children depended on Soup or Socks to meet food needs during school vacation. Helpful donations currently are canned potatoes, mixed vegetables, and meat (chicken or ham), or cleaning supplies.

Food donations can be dropped off at Soup or Socks at 200 S. Lincoln Ave. next to First Presbyterian Church., and St. Vincent de Paul Outreach at 169 N Central Ave.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Collects Thousands for Area Pantries

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Collects Thousands for Area Pantries