Stamp Out Hunger food drive goes virtual in lieu of fall postponement

The food drive has faced a severe 6-month postponement due to COVID-19.

The National Association of Letter Carriers and local food banks supplemented with virtual food drives.

A national food drive faces postponement because of covid-19.

Stamp out hunger is a initiative by the national association of letter carriers.

It was originally scheduled for may... but continues to be pushed back.fox 55's mallory beard is in the studio to tell us how a local food bank that would normally keep allen county residents fed through the holiday season... is experiencing some difficulty this fall.

Yes chris.

The stamp out hunger food drive has faced a severe six month delay.

Associated churches who partners with the letters carriers has helped run the food drive for almost three decades.

But they say the virus poses too much of a risk for them to continue this year.

Retired postal worker rebecca riley says she can't fathom the thought of families going hungry this thanksgiving holiday.

Rebecca riley//retired letter carrier "i can't even imagine how they're going to be affected."

Riley is one of many letter carriers who has delivered food for the national food drive, stamp out hunger.

Tim scroggs// nat'l association of letter carriers, summit city branch president "it's such an easy way for people to donate because all people have to do is food at their mailbox."

The drive was postponed in may because of covid-19.

Tim scroggs// nat'l association of letter carriers, summit city branch president "just here in fort wayne we collected over 400, 000 pounds of food in one day so the logistics of that and doing it safely just wasn't possible."

Riley says shes concerned for those who were expecting food for their children.

Rebecca riley//retired letter carrier "i was a single mother for a while.

So i know how important it is to get food on the table for your kids."

Associated churches has partnered with national letter carriers for the last two decades ... helping deliver food to allen county residents after all of the food is sorted.

Executive director roger reece says the increase in need in allen county is up twenty three percent this year largely due to covid-19.

Causing a severe impact on families.

Roger reece//associated churches executive director "so it really is a new economy in lots of ways because a lot of folks have been furloughed and so just putting food on the table is a struggle."

But reece says the community has 'filled in the gaps,' starting virtual food drives to compensate for the postponement.

What he says has helped a great deal.

Roger reece//associated churches executive director "it reminds me of the calling that you have to give back."

The national letter carriers are continuing their virtual food drive through the fall to substitute the cancellation.

For more information on how you can donate to help your county, see this story