May 8, 2019 3 min read

The Harry Chapin Food Bank and United Way Lee are seeking volunteers to help collect, unload and sort food during the Letter Carriers’ National #StampOutHunger Food Drive taking place Saturday, May 11.

The 27th annual drive, the nation’s largest single-day food drive, collects non-perishable food, which is left by mailboxes. The event last year collected 273,649 pounds of food.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida Marketing and Communications Manager Mary Wozniak said the annual event usually attracts about 400 volunteers locally. She said the Harry Chapin Food Bank usually needs about 300 volunteers, while United Way Lee needs approximately 70 drivers.

“Right now we need about 70 volunteers for unloading and sorting. United Way Lee needs about 20 volunteer drivers that help the letter carriers on their routes,” Wozniak said.

For those who would like to lend a helping hand for United Way can visit www.unitedwaylee.org/volunteer and click on Lee County Opportunities. Those who have direct questions can call Kim Berghs, United Way volunteer center manager at (239) 433-7547, or email kim@unitedwaylee.org.

Drivers are needed for North Fort Myers, Six-Mile Cypress and Page Field post offices.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank is in need of volunteers at six different locations.

For those who have volunteered with the Harry Chapin Food Bank before, can visit https://bit.ly/2qjyUKr and register. Volunteers new to Harry Chapin Food Bank can visit https://bit.ly/2qG3PRd and put Letter Carriers Food Drive in the Group Code Box to volunteer.

For any questions email volunteering@harrychapinfoodbank.org, or contact Lori Harrington, food bank volunteer champion at lharrington@harrychapinfoodbank.org or (239) 334-7007, ext. 141.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank will have volunteer sorters at Cape Coral Central, 1030 SE 9th Ave.; Downtown Fort Myers, 1350 Monroe St.; Page Field, 2655 N. Airport Rd.; Six Mile Cypress Carrier Annex (South Fort Myers), 14651 Six Mile Cypress; Fort Myers Beach, 200 Carolina Ave. and Bonita Springs, 26150 Old 41 Rd.

Wozniak said in order to put the whole registration process through, she asks that people register to volunteer by Thursday, May 9.

There are three shifts offered from late morning to early evening. She said they are in need of more volunteers for the Downtown Fort Myers post office, as well as individuals who can work mid afternoon and early evening shifts.

“That’s where the bulk of open spots are,” Wozniak said.

She believes those who volunteer get a true sense of the amount of need there is in the community, especially when volunteering at the Page Field and Cape Coral post offices.

“I think people who are unloading and sorting the food get a sense of the amount of need there is out there. The food generally starts coming back early afternoon. It’s amazing to see. It really is,” Wozniak said. “I volunteer every year. The entire staff goes out and volunteers. I really get a good feeling for it.”

Although it’s the National Letter Carrier Food Drive, the Harry Chapin Food Bank receives the food and United Way Lee provides volunteers.

“We get the bulk of the food. It’s the biggest food drive of the year for us. It’s all hands on deck and we need more hands on deck,” Wozniak said.