The annual, nationwide Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers is being held this weekend. The event will be held in more than 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. In its 23 years, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive has collected more than 1.4 billion pounds of food. Last year’s national drive collected approximately 71 million pounds.

Katrina James, Officer in Charge at the Post Office in Atlantic, says their local goal this year is to collect more than 2,000 pounds of non-perishable food items, and new this year…non-food items, such as new diapers, toothpaste, etc. James says “All donations go directly to our neighbors in need and help build a hunger-free community.”

Letter carriers, some of their family members and volunteers will be out from 9-a.m. until 4-p.m. Saturday, May 14^th, collecting donations, which can be left near the mailbox, on the porch or curb, depending on the weather conditions. James says there is also a drop box at the Atlantic Post Office, and, she says they are looking for volunteers to help the letter carriers pick-up the donations.

Trina says you can set the donated items in a plastic bag or whatever will make them easy to carry and safe from the elements. If you don’t have a bag, don’t worry…one will be coming your way this way. Postcards and Hy-Vee sponsored bags will be delivered by the carriers this week advertising the food drive.”

The Drop Box will be available this Friday, in the lobby of the Atlantic Post Office. If you have any questions, contact your local letter carrier or the Atlantic Post Office.