Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Letter carriers pick up and drop off mail on a daily basis. It's part of their job.
But on one special day, May 13, the National Association of Letter Carriers, in conjunction with The U.S. Postal Service, will be collecting nonperishable food items to help families in need in the community.
"On May 13, people put their food out by the mailboxes," said city carrier Jeff Dotson. "As we do our route, we pick up the food."
The food the letter carriers pick up will be given to Combined Community Services, the Salvation Army and Our Father's House.
"Last year, we picked up five tons in one day," Dotson said.
Stamp Out Hunger Day will be held all over the nation on May 13. Last year, nationally, more than 58 million pounds of nonperishable goods were gathered by the letter carriers.
The letter carriers will accept any nonperishable item but no glass. Canned or dried goods are acceptable, as are boxes of cereal, toilet paper - even boxes of diapers have been given in the past.
"If they put it out (early) Saturday morning," said Dotson, "We'll get it all picked up."
Dotson said they would like to gather six tons this year. Nonperishable goods also can be brought into the post office on May 13 as there will be hampers for goods to be dropped off.
This is the sixth year for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Dotson said it wouldn't be possible, however, without the joint effort of all the carriers, the post office clerks and administration and the community.
"It's a good cause," said Dotson, "because, they told us, what we pick up and distribute, the agencies told us it can last them three months."
Besides helping feed the hungry, Dotson said, it is a way for the post office to help the community.
"That's who we work for and it's our way to give back to the community," he said. "It all stays here. It all stays in the county. It stays local."
Stamp Out Hunger Day is cosponsored by Campbell's, Priority Mail, U.S. Postal Service, United Way, AFL-CIO and Saturn.
