Get the canned foods and non-perishables ready for the mail carriers.
The 22nd Annual Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, will take place Saturday.
The giving effort represents the largest one-day food collection of its kind.
Since the event’s inception in 1993, the drive has collected more than 1 billion pounds of food, organizers said.
“A lot of us have been through a pretty wild winter, and springtime has struggled to take hold in many parts of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers. “We’ve got our fingers crossed that Mother Nature will give us a break on that special Saturday, especially since that happens to be the day before Mother’s Day this year.”
Local committee officials said this year’s goal is to reap 18,000 pounds worth of food.
Last year, the effort brought in 13,800 pounds, organizers said, and local committee members feel the increase is an attainable goal if every person pitches in.
“Food drive reminders have been mailed. We are working with our local food banks, and we’ve got our volunteers ready for a full afternoon of work,” said Dennis Sims, the local committee’s chairman. “Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we are confident that Rowan County citizens will step up and give what they can – no matter what.”
Participation in the drive could not be easier, Sims said.
“All we ask is that postal customers place a bag of nonperishable food by their mailbox before their letter carrier comes by on Saturday,” Sims said. “Local postal carriers will pick it up, and it will be distributed locally to Main Street Mission, Rowan Helping Ministries and the Salvation Army.”
The drive is a nationwide event sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, United Way and Campbell Soup, among others.