Postal Service's 'Stamp Out Hunger' starts

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

Every second Saturday in May, the U.S. Postal Service is collecting non-perishable food items for its annual one-day food drive.

Local residents can help the postal service meet this year's goal of 25,000 pounds of food.

The drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, was established to "Stamp Out Hunger."

This is the 18th year for the event, said local coordinator Ron Bailey.

The donated food benefits the Salvation Army, Rowan Helping Ministries and Main Street Mission in China Grove, Bailey said.

Those who want to participate are asked to leave food, stored in a box or bag, by the mailbox on Saturday before the mail is delivered.

"If it's not a lot, they can put it in a bag and hang it on the mailbox," Bailey said.

Postal carriers will pick up the food and will get assistance from local high school ROTC units.

"They will help us. If people see someone get the food box, they should have a food drive sign in their car window," he said.

Bailey said the organization hopes to collect more than 1 billion pounds of food nationwide.

If the food isn't picked up on Saturday, residents are asked return the box outdoors on Monday for pickup.

The amount donated has changed throughout the last few years since he began coordinating the event, Bailey said.

He began in 2006 when 20,830 pounds of food was collected. The following year, it was down to 14,800 pounds. In 2008, Rowan County residents contributed 16,542 pounds of food. In 2009, it was back up to 20,151 pounds.

The United Way is a nationwide partner of this endeavor.