It’s tough to think about how Dave Arnold, as we speak a fantastic bearded mailman might have left with out meals when he was a toddler.
“We have been affected by starvation rising,” mentioned Arnold, who measures 6 toes and 5 inches. “My mom had most cancers 5 occasions and we have been in a single -parent house.”
That’s the reason he helps and helps coordinate the efforts of the Easton Submit Workplace annually to gather meals donated from mail shoppers.
“I really feel that I’ve a private curiosity in serving to and giving again,” he mentioned.
Arnold and different officers, together with Tina Weller operators in Allentown and Invoice Kriebel in Bethlehem, participated in a press convention on Tuesday to boost consciousness in regards to the annual meals marketing campaign “Stamp Out Starvation”. The information occasion came about on the Second Harvest Meals Financial institution services in Northampton County, the most important non -profit meals distributor within the area.
The meals impulse takes place on Saturday, when carriers will advance by way of the Lehight Valley to gather non -perishable donated from their postal prospects. They return to their postal workplaces and assist to see that meals is distributed to Second Harvest, which is a part of the Neighborhood Motion Lehight Valley Poverty Program.
Final yr’s impulse accrued greater than 47,000 kilos of meals, mentioned Second Harvest officers. However the want by no means disappears, significantly when the nice and cozy local weather hits.
Summer season is an particularly tough time for youngsters whose households belief meals offered by their colleges, mentioned Joanne Anderson, Second Harvest growth officer.
“Meals impulses comparable to stamping starvation assist us fill our cabinets and make it possible for every youngster has entry to meals to get pleasure from a wholesome and blissful summer time,” Anderson mentioned.
This yr, the help of the neighborhood is extra necessary than ever, he mentioned, with the Trump administration that lowered round $ 1 billion in federal assist to anti-razing teams, in response to the Feeding America Nationwide Protection Group.
That exerts extra stress on charity organizations that distribute groceries or meals to keep up their American safety community nook.
Final yr, Second Harvest distributed nearly 16 million kilos to roughly 62,000 residents per 30 days in six counties that serve, together with Lehight and Northampton, the manager director of Calv, Daybreak Godshall, wrote in an opinion article of the morning final week. This yr, he mentioned, that quantity has elevated to nearly 100,000 folks every month.
And though the officers mentioned it’s regular for this time of the yr, many bare cabinets have been seen within the massive warehouse that serves as a distribution middle of Second Harvest within the municipality of East Allen, close to Bathtub.
“There are a lot of hungry kids within the Lehight Valley and past,” Anderson mentioned, “and organizations such because the [National Association of Letter Carriers] And tasks like Stamp Out Starvation assist us relieve that. We’re at all times attempting to do every part potential for youngsters and households with whom they dwell which might be meals insecure. ”
How are you going to assist
Members should depart non -perishable meals in a bag subsequent to their mailbox on Saturday in order that their provider of playing cards collects it. Non -perishable articles embody cereal; peanut butter; pasta; rice; tuna; and canned soup, fruits or greens.
Individuals also can donate objects with out meals, if they need, together with diapers, cleaning soap, shampoo and toothpaste, authorities mentioned. For the protection of carriers and volunteers, individuals who don’t donate articles in glass containers are requested.
Get extra info on the web site of the cardboard carriers, nalc.org; in social networks; or calling Second Harvest at 484-821-2411 through the week.
“It is sooner or later a yr; it’s a massive assortment of meals for individuals who want it,” mentioned Arnold. “We’re grateful for this chance, and it’s a small query: give time, whereas we ship mail, to gather meals.”
Contact the morning reporter Anthony Salamone at assalamone@mcall.com.