June 1, 2019

The 2019 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive event in Lee’s Summit proved the spirit of giving goes on year round when it comes to neighbors in need.

The 27th annual event, coordinated by local letter carriers and the Lee’s Summit Post Office locations May 11, netted more than 17,000 pounds of food for Lee’s Summit Social Services, a record amount, said executive director Matt Sanning.

“On that Saturday, we saw mail truck after mail truck coming in and out of our parking lot and it was just an incredible sight to see,” LSSS assistant director Megan Salerno said. “These men and women carried out their route and loaded up thousands and thousands of pounds of canned goods, cereal, mac and cheese, peanut butter. So many families will benefit from the kindness of this community.”

Lee’s Summit Social Services’ staff and volunteers spent hours and days sorting the food, which will be distributed through weekly grocery sack pickups for families and for a number of needs of those needing assistance in and around Lee’s Summit.

“When we have a need, so many in our community step up and help us fill that need,” Sanning said. “Our incredible letter carriers and the families on those routes filled that need this time. We cannot thank them enough.”

Nationwide, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected more than 1 billion pounds of food since 1993.

Lee’s Summit Social Services is an emergency assistance organization that provides financial, food pantry and utility resources to meet the basic needs in the communities of Lee’s Summit, Greenwood, Lake Lotawana and Lone Jack.