Island 'stamps out' hunger with annual food drive

Story and photo by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

On May 9, a group of adults and young people gathered together to sort donated food at the Grand Island Cultural Center.

Mail carriers delivered the food, and the vehicles came, one at a time, through the morning.

Once a year, on the second Saturday in May, mail carriers across the U.S. collect donations of nonperishable food to help local food pantries. This annual event, called “Stamp Out Hunger,” was started in 1993 by the National Association of Letter Carriers. According to the group’s website, "Stamp Out Hunger" “has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.”

On Grand Island, all of the food collected was delivered to the Grand Island Cultural Center, which is now the home of the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island’s permanent pantry.

“The postal workers were absolutely incredible,” said Dave Conboy, president of the Neighbors Foundation. “ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ simply would not happen without their dedication and partnership. After already working long days delivering mail, they take on the additional responsibility of collecting and transporting thousands of pounds of donated food from throughout the Island. Their commitment to helping others is remarkable, and we are extremely grateful for everything they do.

“The event was outstanding and really demonstrated the very best of Grand Island. Once again, our community showed that, when neighbors are in need, people here step up in a big way. We had tremendous support from volunteers of all ages, and the atmosphere throughout the day was positive, energetic, and mission-focused.

“There is something powerful about seeing people quietly helping neighbors they may never know personally. This event is a reminder that kindness, generosity and community spirit are stronger than ever here on Grand Island.

“I was especially proud of the young people who participated. Seeing students and kids give up part of their Saturday to sort food, carry boxes, and help others says a lot about the future of our community. They worked incredibly hard, brought great enthusiasm and showed genuine compassion for neighbors they may never meet. That spirit of service is inspiring.”

Stamp Out Hunger volunteers.

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Conboy said he is proud the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island is an all-volunteer organization.

“Every dollar donated and every hour volunteered goes toward helping local residents in need,” he said. “We also provide assistance in a completely confidential manner because we understand that, sometimes, good people simply need a helping hand.”

Conboy described the day’s events as “truly a team effort and a reminder of how strong this community is when people come together for a common cause.”

“We had outstanding support from community organizations, families, and individual residents, who donated food and volunteered their time,” he said.

“As president of the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed. The food collected during this event will directly help local families throughout the year, and that makes every box lifted and every hour volunteered worthwhile.

“What made me happiest was seeing the community come together across generations and backgrounds with one shared purpose: helping neighbors in need. You had kids working alongside retirees, families volunteering together, postal workers giving extra effort after long routes, and residents throughout the Island leaving food by their mailboxes simply because they wanted to help someone else.

“Anyone on Grand Island who may need confidential assistance, or anyone interested in volunteering or supporting the effort, can contact the Neighbors Foundation at 716-775-7998.”