Filling cupboards in time for summer

For some local youth whose families are struggling to make ends meet, this Saturday’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive comes at an opportune time. The last day of Moses Lake public schools is June 14. Kids relying on school-sponsored free and reduced lunch programs are at risk of having less food to eat this summer. To help bridge the gap between school nutrition programs and dwindling family budgets, we encourage you to scan your cupboards for non-perishable food to donate. The next step is to set aside the food for Saturday’s Letter Carriers Food Drive taking place in Moses Lake. On Saturday, just place the food in a bag by your mail box for pick-up.

We like this particular food drive because it is easy for so many people to participate. Quite frankly, local letter carriers do much of the work by picking the food up from your doorstep. The food is later delivered to the Moses Lake Food Bank. All you have to do is find the appropriate food and donate it. Be sure to check the expiration dates on your donations for expired food before donating.

This particular food drive is also an easy one to get your entire family involved. Start your kids young by having them pick out food at the grocery store to donate, or clean out your cupboards together and donate what you think is appropriate. Items easily taken for granted like a can of tuna or a jar of peanut butter all add up.

Getting youth involved with “Stamp Out Hunger” also broadens their horizons because they’re helping peers they likely know. In the Moses Lake School District, 60.9 percent of all students are provided with free and reduced price lunch, according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s School Report Card. The free and reduced lunch percentage is high enough to make “Stamp Out Hunger” a valuable and much needed food drive to prepare Moses Lake families for the summer months.

Please do your part by giving what perishable food you can spare on Saturday.

— Editorial Board