Letter Carriers (NALC) around the nation Saturday collected millions of pounds of food for families in need during the union’s 20th annual “Stamp Out Hunger Food” drive. An official total isn’t available yet, but the NALC is hoping to best last year’s total of more than 70 million pounds.

Union volunteers in Erie, Pa., pulled weeds, mulched, raked and more on the main campus of the Barber National Institute on April 21, an annual Day of Caring. The institute provides education, training, rehabilitation and residential and health care services for persons with disabilities. The grounds clean-up project there was organized by the Erie-Crawford Central Labor CouncilCommunity Services Committee.

The kids got to romp through Munson Park in Monroe, Mich., hunting for Easter eggs—and families in need of food aid received a helping hand, too, thanks to a partnership of unions and community groups.

It came to national attention following hurricanes Rita and Katrina: Relief and recovery after a natural disaster can serve as a prime opportunity for worker exploitation and abuse.

A new manual, " Guide to Rebuilding ," by AFL-CIO Community Services, the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department and United Way Worldwide, offers guidance and best practices on ensuring that when disaster strikes, the rebuilding of our communities is done well and contributes to rebuilding the local economy by using local labor and skilled union workers. Check it out here .

The Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO and the United Way of Central Ohio Community Services Department have named Penn National Gaming to receive their Community Service Award. The award, which honors a community volunteer whose leadership and involvement have made a significant contribution to the community, was presented March 22 as part of the labor council’s annual George Meany Awards Banquet, the largest labor recognition of its kind.

The Indiana State AFL-CIO and United Way have established a disaster relief fund to aid the victims of the deadly tornadoes that ravaged southern Indiana. You can click here to donate online via credit card or send a check to: Indiana Union/UW Disaster Response; Indiana Association of United Ways; 3901 N. Meridian #306; Indianapolis, IN 46208-4026.

In southern Indiana and other areas where a series of powerful and deadly tornadoes stuck late last week, union members are mobilizing to bring help to union families and others.

AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer sends us this report.

Members from the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 2, friends and family came together in South St. Louis in recent days to give the “Women in Transition” organization a much needed makeover.

Judy Parkins, AFL-CIO director of Community Services, sends us this report.

Members of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 124 in New Orleans and volunteers from the Prince of Wales Social Aid and Pleasure Club pitched in with Rebuild Together New Orleans in October.

Just when you thought it was a safe bet you wouldn’t see any more ghouls and vampires lurking around, AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer sends us this from Pennsylvania.