Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns as need surges

WENATCHEE — The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, is returning to the Wenatchee Valley on Saturday, May 10, amid rising demand for food assistance across the region.

The drive comes at a time when agencies are seeing dramatic increases in food distribution needs.

"We are up more than 60 percent in the amount of food we distribute to low-income people over the last two years. Year-to-date we are up almost 6,000 pounds compared to the same period last year," said Mike Malmin, executive director of Serve Wenatchee. "The numbers are concerning."

In the coming days, thousands of households across North Central Washington will receive paper grocery bags in their mailboxes. Residents are encouraged to fill the bags with non-perishable food and place them by their mailbox on the day of the drive. Any bag or box may be used if additional space is needed or if an official bag is not delivered.

“Last year we received enough food to cover more than a month's worth of food given through our Fresh Hope Market — that's multiple tons of food!” Malmin said. “We all know what inflation has done to grocery prices, we know the price of eggs and other staples. For people who are at the lower end of the wage scale, this can cause a significant crisis. We want to make sure families are being fed.”

Serve Wenatchee, a faith-based nonprofit organization, distributed 131,000 pounds of food in 2024 and is on pace to exceed that amount this year. The organization operates the Fresh Hope Market, which provides food to individuals and families after an intake and qualification process.

For those unable to contribute food, financial donations can be made online at servewenatchee.org. All funds will be used to stock the Fresh Hope Market with essential groceries.

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the largest single-day food collection event in the country, supported nationally by the U.S. Postal Service, United Way, and various community partners.