Letter carriers honored for record food drive amid tragedy

In a recent city council meeting, the Alamo Branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) was honored for its outstanding contribution to the annual \"Stamp Out Hunger\" food drive, which resulted in the collection of over 490,000 pounds of food for the San Antonio community. This achievement marks the highest amount collected by any branch in the United States, showcasing the dedication of local letter carriers to combat food insecurity.

Homer Hernandez, president of the Alamo Branch, expressed gratitude to the community and city officials for their support, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that made this success possible. He highlighted the importance of the food drive, which takes place every second Thursday in May, and thanked the San Antonio Food Bank for their partnership.

The meeting also took a somber turn as Hernandez requested a moment of silence for Jessica Mendoza, a letter carrier who tragically lost her life due to domestic violence just days prior. Council members acknowledged the dual nature of the occasion—celebrating the food drive's success while mourning Mendoza's death. They expressed condolences and emphasized the need to address domestic violence in the community.

Council members praised the letter carriers for their essential role in society, often working under challenging conditions to ensure timely mail delivery. They recognized the carriers not only as postal workers but also as vital community members who contribute to public safety and well-being.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to continue supporting the letter carriers and addressing the pressing issues of food insecurity and domestic violence in San Antonio.