Stamp Out Hunger event 'amazingly successful' this time around

Story and Photo by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

This year’s “Stamp Out Hunger” event, held May 10, was “amazingly successful,” said Dave Conboy, president of the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation.

“We collected about 4,200 pounds of food – a 5% increase over last year,” Conboy said, noting he was, “so very pleased to witness once again the inspirational generosity of Grand Islanders. We are so profoundly grateful to all those who donate food, funds and their time to serve others who may be going through a difficult time. Especially grateful to see so many young people assisting and learning from a young age how important it is to be engaged in the community and be part of something bigger than themselves.”

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an event organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers that is held annually on the second Saturday of May. The U.S. Postal Service also participates in this food drive, with postal workers collecting donations along their routes.

Conboy said, “We had over 60 volunteers from the local community, including students from the various Grand Island schools. Plus, all of the postal carriers who did an exceptional job picking up the food along their routes and bringing it to our pantry,” located in St. Stephens’ old church at 2100 Baseline Road.

Volunteers came from a variety of groups, including the schools, the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation, Zonta Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, as well as other church and civic groups, Conboy explained.

“This is a huge event for us as it is our major food collection event for the year and helps to sustain our ability to assist our neighbors in need throughout the year,” he said. “As many know, with turbulent financial times, the need is greater than ever. All of the donations will be used on Grand Island, either directly through the Neighbors Foundation or through other organizations we partner with to combat food insecurity on Grand Island.”

Conboy said he was very grateful to many people for making the event a success. These include “all of Grand Island for their superb support with donating funds, food and time to help us accomplish our mission of neighbors helping neighbors! Special thanks to Chris Amato from the post office and all of the letter carriers who selflessly collected literally thousands of pounds of food to help out their neighbors. Letter carriers have a hard job every day, and their support of this event was phenomenal. Please thank them when you see them for what they do every day, and especially during the Stamp Out Hunger food collection. Also, thanks to Alice Gerard for always covering our event and Jodi Robinson and Reg Schopp at Isledegrande, who help us get the word out, as well as the Tribune/Sentinel publication. If folks missed the collection, they could bring their donations to our donation barrel at Thompson Farm or at St. Stephen Church.”

For people who may need food assistance, Conboy said, “Call us at 716-775-7998 or visit our website at www.gineighbors.org. The Neighbors Foundation is here to serve our neighbors. We want our neighbors on Grand Island to know that all that they need to do is call us, and we will provide them caring and confidential food assistance, no questions asked! We exist to serve others, so we look forward to having the privilege of helping those going through a difficult time.”