Nationwide ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ food drive begins Saturday. Here’s how Idahoans can help.

The Idaho Foodbank is preparing for the largest nationwide food drive, set to take place this Saturday, May 13, according to a press release from the organization.

This year marks the National Association of Letters Carriers’ 31st annual “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.”

Idahoans can participate in the nationwide event by filling any bag with non-perishable food and placing it next to their mailboxes Saturday. Letter carriers will pick up the bags of food and donate them to local food banks. Food donated in the Treasure Valley will go to the Idaho Foodbank or one of their food distribution partners.

“This kind of community engagement is a key part of our work to address food insecurity,” Idaho Foodbank president and CEO Karen Vauk said in the press release. “We appreciate the hard work of the letter carriers to pick up these food donations from Treasure Valley neighborhoods.”

According to the press release, the most needed items include:

• whole grain pasta
• cereal
• low sodium canned vegetables
• fruit canned in juice or extra light syrup
• dry or canned beans
• pantry items such as flour, baking soda and cooking oils

The food bank also encourages residents to donate easy-to-open items, such as canned foods with pop-top lids.

More information about the Idaho Foodbank is available on its website and social media.

The Idaho Foodbank is the largest statewide distributor of free food assistance in Idaho. The nonprofit was established in 1984 and has since then distributed millions of pounds of food through its facilities in Lewiston, Meridian and Pocatello.

The nonprofit partners with schools, senior centers, shelters, mobile pantries and churches to provide nutritious food to Idahoans. According to the press release, the Idaho Foodbank provided nearly 23 million meals to Idaho families and individuals living with food insecurity in the last fiscal year.