Author William Lambers

Olympic Speedskater Emily Scott is volunteering for this year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The Food Drive will take place nationwide on Saturday, May 10th.

 On that day you can leave non-perishable goods by your mailbox. Your postal carrier will pick up the food, which will then be distributed among hunger relief organizations in your community.

Scott, who advanced to the 1500m finals of the Sochi Olympics, filmed a video for the Stamp Out Hunger Drive. During her training for the Olympics, Scott was in need of financial support. She filed an application for food stamps, one of America’s safety nets for those in need.

There are over 49 million Americans struggling with hunger. They depend on support from food banks and the food stamp (SNAP) program. However, SNAP underwent cuts via Congress in late 2013. This means that food banks are under pressure to provide more of the month’s groceries for impoverished families.

Bob Aiken, the CEO of Feeding America, says, “At a time when millions of families have fallen on hard times and need a helping hand, our food banks are seeing more clients struggling due to the across the board SNAP cuts, heat and food price inflation, increased housing and health costs, and lack of economic opportunity.”

That is why the Stamp Out Hunger Drive is so crucial. A strong supply of food can help during the summer months when public donations generally go down. In addition, when schools close for the summer, the free breakfast and lunch programs will be not be available for many children.

For more information visit the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.