By Mark Ambrogi
The National Association of Letter Carriers is doing its share to end hunger.
The 24th annual food drive campaign, called Stamp Out Hunger, is set for May 14.
Ronnie Roush, a Westfield resident, is the NALC Branch 888 president and food drive coordinator.
“It’s the nation’s largest one-day food drive,” Roush said.
His branch is in charge of collecting food for Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, Fishers and Geist (if delivered by the Fishers Post Office). Roush’s branch’s drive also covers Lebanon, Danville, Fortville and Sheridan.
Roush said the goal is to have the cards and bags delivered to homes by May 10. Marsh Supermarkets donate the plastic bags and United Food and Commercial Workers donated the cards.
“Last year we collected just over 90,000 pounds as a branch,” Roush said. “We collected nearly 71 million pounds nationwide last year.”
Roush said the goal for 2016 is to top 100,000 pounds.
Roush, who has worked for the post office for 10 years, has been the branch president and drive coordinator for two years.
“We try to make sure the food collected within that city stays in that city,” Roush said. “We’re using different food pantries depending what city you are in.”
For example, food collected in Carmel and Westfield goes to Open Doors in Westfield and Carmel United Methodist Church. Noblesville-based Third Phase will receive food from Fishers and Noblesville collections. If food pantry volunteers help the drive, that pantry receives some of the collection, Roush said.
“The (U.S.) Postal Service allows us to do this. They get good exposure but it’s our (NALC’s) food drive,” Roush said.
