(Atlantic, Iowa) – This Saturday, May 13th, marks the 31st annual NACL (National Association of Letter Carriers) food drive across America. Postal carriers in Atlantic will be participating again this year, to benefit the local food pantry. Post Office Supervisor Mark McNees says “The carrier food drive is one of the largest efforts in the country and the Atlantic post office, and carriers, are proud to be a part of the effort to help out our customers who may be in need of assistance.”

Atlantic customers are asked to leave non-perishable food items in bags at their mailbox, and the carriers, and management, will collect the items and deliver them to the Atlantic food pantry. Atlantic Pantry Manager and Operations Coordinator Ken Burkhart says donated food items are always welcome, but so are monetary donations.

Burkhart said they can’t possibly store all the donated food the Pantry needs for everyone, so they purchase it on a weekly basis, as needed. Your cash or check donations can be left with your letter carrier this weekend, mailed to the Atlantic Food Pantry at P.O. Box 285 (Atlantic, IA 50022), or dropped-off at the Pantry, which is located at 704 W. 7th Street (The former “After 5 Somewhere” building). Drop-off hours for monetary donations are Mondays and Thursdays, from 9-until 11-a.m.

Customers wishing to contribute through their postal mail carrier should clearly address an envelope as a food pantry, or food drive donation, and leave visibly as outgoing mail. No stamp is required for this type of donation. Checks should be made out to the Atlantic Food Pantry. Customers may also hand donations to their carrier as well. Ken Burkhart says the pantry can take meat, but there are legal criteria they must abide by.

Burkhart says the need for food has not waned in Cass County, since the pandemic. The Pantry received a grant last year, but that grant is expiring, hence the need for monetary contributions. Food distribution at the Atlantic Food Pantry is on Thursday’s from 12:30-to 3-p.m. Burkhart says a majority of their clients show-up each week as needed. Anywhere from 70-to 80-percent are at or below the Federal Poverty Level. They typically are low income Senior Citizens (35-40% of their clients), persons temporarily laid-off from work, or are new to town and are between paychecks, and displaced domestic violence survivors.

The Atlantic community has donated tons of food and thousands of dollars over the years to the local food pantry by participating in the letter carrier’s food drive. Post Office Supervisor Mark McNees says “Your support is very much appreciated.” For more information about the Atlantic Food Pantry, please call 243-5019.