Food drive ‘thanks’

Dear editor:

United Way of the Ouachitas thanks the community for their generous participation in the 26th annual National Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive!

On May 12, 2018, letter carriers did double duty — not only did they make their usual delivery of mail, but they also spent the day collecting food in the nation’s largest, most successful food drive. Letter carrier Wyatt Thompson noted, “Letter carriers witness daily the desperation of patrons who are suffering and they always respond.”

Thanks to our partners, National Association of Letter Carriers, U.S. Postal Service, the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, and to our bag sponsors, Peter’s Paint, Café 1217 and New Balance. Special thanks to Ed Rice, Kevin Hooper, and Blake Throgmartin, who coordinated at the Hot Springs Main, Albert Pike and Hot Springs Village Post Offices. Thank you, also, to the many volunteers who loaded and unloaded the army of trucks delivering to the food pantries.

Residents in Garland County increased their donations of nonperishable foods at all three post office locations by 7,300 pounds. The Main Post Office collected 12,800 pounds, the Albert Pike location collected 17,100 pounds and the Hot Springs Village location collected 11,500 pounds. Together, the residents of Garland County provided 41,400 pounds of food that were delivered to six local food pantries: All Created Equal, First Step, Jackson House, Oasis, Potter’s Clay and The Salvation Army.

Again, our deepest thanks!

Katie Gibson Associate director United Way of the Ouachitas