Postal food drive next week

Each year on the second Saturday in May, carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from customers.

The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct their annual food drive next week, and postal customers should expect bags left by carriers on Wednesday, May 8. Non-perishable food items should be placed in the bags, which must then be set out by mailboxes on Saturday, May 11 for pickup.

The food in these bags goes to local food banks through churches and other organizations, so it never leaves the community. The donations help fill the banks, and in turn provide those in need, with food for the summer. Those who have post office boxes rather than mailboxes at their homes can also participate. The post office will have bags available, and will also be a drop off point for food.

Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By spring, many pantries are depleted, entering summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the food drive, and at the national level it has generated more than one billion pounds of food in the past 25 years for the 42 million people facing hunger in America.