Beverly Residents Encouraged To Help Stamp Out Hunger This Saturday

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly residents will have a simple way to support local food pantries on Saturday when the National Association of Letter Carriers holds its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Community members are encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishable food next to their mailbox, and their letter carrier will collect donations during regular mail delivery.

All donated items will be sorted and distributed to local food pantries, including Beverly Bootstraps.

The organization provides resources to residents of Beverly as well as Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Hamilton, and Wenham. Community participation in this year's drive will help keep local shelves stocked in the months ahead.

The drive arrives as food insecurity continues to grow in Massachusetts. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank’s annual Food Access Report, the share of Massachusetts households experiencing food insecurity rose from 19 percent in 2019 to 40 percent in 2025.

In the past year alone, more than 400 new households signed up for food assistance at the Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry.

"For many families, the cost of everyday essentials continues to stretch budgets to the breaking point," said Allison Caffrey, Beverly Bootstraps Executive Director. "Community-driven efforts like Stamp Out Hunger play a vital role in ensuring our neighbors have access to the food they need."

Stamp Out Hunger is the largest one-day food drive in the country. Over the last 34 years, it has delivered close to 1.94 billion pounds of food to pantries, food banks, shelters, and churches across the country.

Donors are asked not to leave expired food or anything in glass containers.

Organizers said the 10 most needed items for this year's drive are:

• peanut butter
• boxed pasta
• mac and cheese
• canned vegetables
• cereal, tuna fish
• cooking oils or sprays
• soup
• diapers or pull-ups in sizes 4 to 6 with baby wipes
• full-size personal hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, and toothbrushes

Residents who cannot leave a bag by the mailbox can still take part.

Donations can also be made online through Amazon or dropped off at local collection bins listed by Beverly Bootstraps.

More information about Beverly Bootstraps is available here.