Valpak(R) Helps NALC Stamp Out Hunger by Promoting Nation's Largest One-Day Food Drive on May 8

LARGO, Fla., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh year in a row, Valpak announces its support of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the nation's largest one-day effort to help needy families. On May 8, postal carriers will collect non-perishable food from customers along their routes and deliver the food to local food banks.

Valpak pledges to help the NALC by featuring the event on some 40 million Valpak envelopes distributed across the United States as a donation to support the cause.  This year, in addition to the in-kind donation worth more than $1 million, Valpak will donate $1 for every new Valpak Facebook fan (up to $5,000) to Feeding America.  

"Hunger is a reality for people in every community across America," said Deanna Willsey, director of corporate communications for Valpak.  "By making it easier for people to donate food, the NALC is making a big difference in the fight to stop hunger.  Valpak is proud to support the NALC and promote Stamp Out Hunger again this year."

The NALC food drive began 18 years ago, noting the severe shortage of food that families encounter in the summer months. Because many children receive food from school programs, families are hit extra hard when children are out of school for the summer.

In addition, late spring is often the time when food banks are struggling, as the donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have long been donated.

Last year, the NALC Stamp Out Hunger food drive set a record of 73.4 million pounds in non-perishable donations, bringing the total for the 17 years of the drive to 982.7 million pounds.  In 2010, letter carriers have the opportunity to break through the 1 billion-pound level.

Although last year the NALC was able to collect more food than ever, this year there are more people who need support.  In a survey cited by Feeding America, "More than half (55 percent) of food banks reported that they or the agencies who help distribute the food they provide have had to turn people away in the last year."  

About Valpak®

Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Media Group. With nearly 200 franchises throughout the United States and Canada, The Blue Envelope® delivers savings and value to nearly 40 million households each month. Annually, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 500 million envelopes. Valpak also offers digital solutions with www.Valpak.com®, an online site for local savings, which has nearly 40 million offer views each month, as well as mobile phones, including apps for iPhone™, iPod touch®, Android™, Palm® Pre™ and Blackberry platforms. For more information, please contact 1-800-676-6878.

Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, is an integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With revenues exceeding $1.5 billion, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, four metro newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America.

SOURCE Valpak