Letter carriers to hold food drive

May 14 marks the 24th anniversary of one of America's great days of giving -- the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food drive. Letter carriers walk through the community every day, often coming face to face with a sad reality for too many: hunger.

So each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect nonperishable food donations from customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people in Cape Girardeau, Scott City, Chaffee, Jackson, Caruthersville, Steele and Hayti, Missouri, who need our help.

Last year, we collected over 71 million pounds of food nationally, feeding an estimated 30 million people.

Our food drive's timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the winter holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

Participating in this year's drive is simple. Just leave a nonperishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox on May 14, and your letter carrier will do the rest. I invite you to join in America's great day of giving and help us fight to end hunger.

Sincerely,

Kraig Schafer, Cape Girardeau, Letter Carrier Food Drive coordinator 2016