Every year on the second Saturday of May, letter carriers across the nation go beyond delivering mail—they collect donations of non-perishable food items to support local food pantries as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Since its inception in 1993, this initiative has grown to become the largest single-day food drive in the U.S., providing critical assistance to communities in need.

This year, the San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council once again joined the effort. In collaboration with the John S. Lyons Memorial Foundation and hoMEworkSD, we came together to contribute not only food but also our time and energy. hoMEworkSD, an initiative focused on creating housing opportunities and pathways to homeownership for working families in San Diego, is deeply committed to supporting community well-being, making their partnership in this food drive particularly meaningful.

Together, we had the privilege of cooking dinner for the volunteers who worked tirelessly and then spent the evening helping unload and sort truckloads of food donations at the San Diego Food Bank. The dedication of everyone involved was inspiring, and it serves as a reminder that when our community unites, we can make a tangible difference.

While the need for support remains high, initiatives like Stamp Out Hunger show the power of collective action. We’re honored to be part of this effort and encourage everyone to participate in next year’s drive to help fill food bank shelves across the nation.