GRATITUDE: Stamp Out Hunger notes

| How to help | West Seattle news

That’s a photo from a volunteer helping out at the West Seattle Junction Post Office as letter carriers and volunteers sort the donations received during today’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive. It’s a nationwide food drive organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers every year on the second Saturday in May; you leave a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox or slot, your carrier picks it up, and it’s destined for local food distributors like Food Lifeline. This morning, we got a call from a woman who identified herself as a local carrier and said she wanted us to convey thanks to everyone who donated – she explained that the carriers are no longer provided with thank-you cards, but wanted to express their gratitude for so much generosity.

Laura May 10, 2025 (3:56 pm)

I forgot this was today! I saw earlier this week with my Informed Delivery email that I should have gotten the card and bag in my mailbox, but I never got it. I’m wondering if anyone else didn’t get their bag. I’m on Genesee Hill and there have been years in the past where I have gotten the bag and left it out but my carrier just ignored it and left it behind. I love the idea of this program but sadly it’s been very hit or miss for me.

WS Res May 10, 2025 (4:54 pm)

West Seattle Food Bank will gratefully take your monetary donation which will go farther than donating physical goods anyway.
Karen B May 10, 2025 (8:55 pm)

We received the blue bag, added some items, and set it out on our porch early this morning for pick-up. Unfortunately, the bag is still there this evening. Wondering if there are any local places (Post Offices perhaps?) where we can drop it off tomorrow or if the Mail Carriers are able to pick them up on Monday if we leave them out?I realize that monetary donations may go further, and that grocery stores and other organizations accept food donations too – but since this program made the effort…
- Goddess Andraste May 11, 2025 (7:35 am)
  
  This happened to us last year. No pickup on the day of, no pickup when we left it out on the Monday. We ended up taking the bag with us on our next trip to Safeway (Roxbury) and left it in the White Center Food Bank bin. Thankfully our bag was picked up yesterday! We have a great regular carrier now, she’s awesome.

Kt May 10, 2025 (5:59 pm)

Kudos to the Food Lifeline volunteers working 6-hour shifts at post offices all across the city to sort the donated food. 10-15 volunteers per post office! That is a lot of people power!

BJG May 10, 2025 (6:18 pm)

Always happy to help and we had a guy on a bicycle help himself a little early to a couple of items from the bag that he probably needed. He thanked my husband when he spotted him. Our very nice mail carrier on Rutan Place left us a nice thank-you note! Thanks to you too, “Mail Guy!”

Stephanie May 10, 2025 (6:23 pm)

Admiral Safeway has a drop-off location for for donations near the check out.

Peter S. May 10, 2025 (7:07 pm)

Made it home in time (barely) from out of town to leave some cans for our wonderful mail-lady to collect. This is a wonderful, and needed, giving opportunity.

Caleigh May 10, 2025 (9:57 pm)

I left a bag out by my mailbox today but it wasn’t picked up. Should I leave it out again?

Gay Gabrilska May 11, 2025 (12:00 am)

We love our mail carrier Harry! We know he was hustling today with the food collecting and traffic from West Seattle garage sales. Well done, Harry! <3

Margot May 11, 2025 (7:23 am)

My mail carrier picked up my bags. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting!

WS5 May 11, 2025 (2:44 pm)

Mine got picked up. I was on the lookout for our mail person so I could help carry it to their truck my bag was heavy didn’t want them to have to carry it their full route.

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