(Michigan City, IN) - Letter carriers across the country will be picking up more than mail on Saturday as this weekend marks the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an event organized annually by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Residents are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items by their mailboxes on Saturday to be collected alongside their mailables.

 

The Salvation Army of Michigan City is pleased to be the local recipient of these donations to fill the shelves of its food pantry, currently in most need of protein sources like canned meats and peanut butter and also accepting donations of paper products and personal hygiene items.

Major Becky Simmons, who oversees the local Salvation Army alongside her husband, Major Dale Simmons, said even if it's one can of vegetables or a single jar of peanut butter, every little bit helps.

Hundreds of families with varying degrees of need visit the food pantry every month to receive food.

 

“About half of our clients are on fixed incomes and depend on our assistance every month,” said Mrs. Simmons.

 

Simmons said the remaining clients are families with income who may just need occasional assistance to make ends meet.

The food drive is organized locally by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

 

Nathaniel Phillips, a Michigan City letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, said, “as letter carriers, we are out in the community every day. We know our community and we see people who are in need. This is a way that we can give back and help our neighbors.”

More information about the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive can be found by visiting www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive or by contacting The Salvation Army of Michigan City at (219) 874-6885.