Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins has proclaimed Saturday as Kosciusko County's "Stamp Out Hunger" Day.
On Saturday, local letter carriers - in conjunction with The United Way of Kosciusko County, Campbell's Soup Company, local post office branches and local food Pantries - will participate in an annual food drive to support the community.
This national event will encourage all communities to participate and collect food, in order to make a difference in the lives of hungry people.
Last year, approximately 5-1/2 tons of food were distributed from the food drive to local emergency pantries to replenish depleted supplies in Kosciusko County. The food drive provides approximately a three month's supply of food for families in need.
In 2004 in Kosciusko County, 5,434 people received food assistance from local pantries. Food pantries in the area include The Salvation Army, Combined Community Services, Mary & Jerry's Helping Hands and Our Father's House.
Nationally, more than 70 million pounds of food were collected during the food drive last year. The Campbell's Soup Company donates 1 million pounds of food each year. Over the 13 years this event has been held, 623 million pounds of food have been collected and distributed to food pantries across the nation to help alleviate hunger.
Wiggins supports the efforts of the groups who are organizing this food drive, and commented that "seven tons seems like a lot of food, but probably will still not meet the need."
The U.S. Postal Service will be collecting non-perishable items such as canned goods, cereal and rice. The letter carriers ask fresh, perishable food or any glass containers not be included as they may spoil or break before reaching the pantries. The carriers also ask donations be bagged and placed by mailboxes Saturday morning.
If a person's mailbox is not in front of their home or if they feel uncomfortable leaving the food out, they may take their donations to the Warsaw Post Office. Donated food collected from the postal routes will be transported by a truck to the Warsaw Post Office and weighed, then distributed to the pantries for release to the community.
Anyone wishing to help should meet at the Warsaw Post Office Saturday to help load trucks.
