Support your needy neighbors by setting nonperishable food donations out by your mailbox on Saturday morning for the annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive.
Mail carriers will pick up food donations as they make their rounds. The donations will benefit the Oregon Food Bank Network, which includes the Clark County Food Bank.
More than 4,000 letter carriers are expected to participate throughout Oregon and Clark County. This is the second year that the National Rural Letter Carriers Association has joined as a full partner.
This year’s goal is to collect 2 million pounds of food in Oregon and Clark County. Last year, more than 1.7 million pounds was donated locally and 73.4 million pounds nationally.
The need for emergency food remains at record-high levels, according to the OFBN. Distribution of food boxes has risen 17 percent since the beginning of the recession. In an average month, an estimated 240,000 people eat meals from an emergency food box in Oregon and Clark County.
Look for a white, plastic food drive bag in your mail. Fill the bag (or any sturdy bag) with nonperishable food. Place the bag by your mailbox on Saturday morning.
At local post offices, more than 1,000 volunteers will pack donations for delivery to regional food banks. Numerous trucking companies and others are pitching in. Wells Fargo has donated $37,000 to the effort.
Most-wanted food items include canned meats; canned and boxed meals; canned or dried beans and peas; canned fruits and vegetables; canned or boxed juices; pasta, rice and cereal; cooking oil and baking mixes. No rusty or unlabeled cans, glass containers, perishable items, homemade items, noncommercial canned or packaged items, alcoholic beverages, mixes or soda, open or used items.
If you miss your letter carrier’s daily visit, drop off your food donations at any post office by May 18.
