Fall River proclaims May 10 for Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger drive; partners aim for up to 60,000 pounds

United Way of Greater Fall River, the Fall River Branch 51 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and Mayor Paul Coogan asked residents to place nonperishable food by their doors for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 10. The partners said the drive will serve 18 area food pantries across Fall River, Somerset and parts of Westport.

Kim Smith, executive director of United Way of Greater Fall River, said the drive matters because local need remains high: "With more than 1 in 3 children living in poverty, and 1 in 5 adults struggling with food insecurity in our area, efforts like this matter deeply." She asked households to fill one of the roughly 59,000 bags being distributed to neighbors for the one-day collection.

The city issued a proclamation signed by Mayor Paul Coogan declaring Saturday, May 10, as Letter Carriers Food Drive Day in Fall River. In reading the proclamation, Coogan said, "I, Paul Coogan, mayor of the city of Fall River, do hereby proclaim Saturday, May 10 as letter carriers food drive day, and we encourage all of citizens in the South Coast to participate in this very important food drive." The proclamation noted the NALC program began in 1991 and described last year’s local collection of about 50,000 pounds.

Greg Anderson, manager of the Fall River Post Office, praised postal workers and volunteers and set an aspirational collection goal: "So today, I challenge the citizens of Fall River. Let's aim for 60,000 pounds to share." Anderson and other speakers credited a decade-long partnership with United Way for nearly doubling collections after the organization began sponsoring distribution bags.

Speakers and agency representatives detailed how donations are distributed. Ken Levesque, executive director of the Veterans Association of Bristol County, said the center runs a monthly pantry and a "rescue room" of nonperishables, and that about "800 veterans" use their services. United Way staff said some pantry partners operate soup kitchens or daily meal programs, while others offer monthly pantry distributions; many pantry hours vary to serve working families.

Sponsors recognized at the event included BankFive, Blount Fine Foods and Saint Anne's Hospital Brown University Health. Christina Jonck, campaign chair with BankFive, urged even small donations: "Even if it's just 1 can of soup would make a big difference." Organizers listed recipient agencies that include St. Anne's Food Pantry, Veterans Association programs, Citizens for Citizens, Salvation Army and Gates of Hope, and said they can provide a full list of participating pantries.

United Way of Greater Fall River maintains an online "food pantry chart" with links and hours for partner pantries; organizers encouraged residents who need food or who want to volunteer to consult that resource. Organizers also asked residents to step outside and greet letter carriers when they collect bags on Saturday, noting the personal connections carriers often make with neighbors in need.