The nation’s largest single-day food drive is this Saturday — and Galesburg is aiming for 12,000 pounds.
Sarah and Russell Oberhake from the Galesburg Post Office, Katherine Seguino, executive director of FISH of Galesburg, and Rachel Crouch of Hy-Vee joined Galesburg’s Morning News on Wednesday, May 6, to preview the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Listen to the full interview above.
How it works: Leave non-perishable food items by your mailbox Saturday morning. Letter carriers will collect them during their regular routes. Items can also be dropped off at the FISH Food Pantry or at the Hy-Vee van at the Henderson Street location.
Hy-Vee grab bags — available now:
$5 Dinner Bag — Hamburger Helper or Tuna Helper, tuna, mixed vegetables.
$10 Lunch Bag — Peanut butter, jelly, fruit snacks or pudding cups, and a loaf of bread.
$15 Breakfast Bag — Pancake mix, syrup, a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, and cereal.
What FISH needs most: Standard-sized items only — no family-sized or individual/tiny portions. Preferred items include peanut butter, jelly, cereal, breakfast foods, soups, and pop-top cans. Unusual flavors and specialty items are harder to distribute.
Mother’s Day bonus: Purchase a grab bag or drop off non-perishable items at the Hy-Vee van Saturday and receive a coupon for $2 off the Hy-Vee Mother’s Day brunch Sunday, May 10, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adult brunch is $12.99; kids 6-12 are $5.99; children 5 and under eat free.
Topics covered in this interview:
- How the drive works and what letter carriers do differently on this day
- Galesburg’s goal of 12,000 pounds — up from nearly 10,000 last year
- What FISH needs most and what to avoid donating
- Why summer is a critical time for the food pantry — kids home from school need easy-to-prepare meals
- The Hy-Vee themed grab bags and the perishable items innovation
- Mother’s Day weekend activities at Hy-Vee
Related: Galesburg aims for 12,000 pounds in Saturday’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive