Local members of the National Association of Letter Carriers will Stamp Out Hunger May 11, by collecting non-perishable food donations from their regular postal routes and delivering them to Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania for distribution to agencies serving area families in need in six counties. Letter carriers will be aided by volunteers from Teamsters Local #773, the Rutgers Alumni Club of the Lehigh Valley and the Northampton County Probation Department for this one day food drive event.

To participate in Stamp Out Hunger, postal customers should their leave factory-sealed, non-perishable food items in a visible place by their mailboxes before their regular delivery May 11. Donations should be in a sturdy, clearly-marked bag so letter carriers know to collect it. Truck drivers from the postal service and Teamsters Local #773 will then make a special delivery of the donations to Second Harvest Food Bank or one of its local member agencies, where it will be inspected and sorted for distribution to where it is so desperately needed.

Items most needed by Second Harvest include cereal, peanut butter, pasta, rice, tuna, canned soup, fruits or vegetables. Non-food items such as diapers and personal care items like shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant can also be donated. For safety reasons, non-glass containers are preferred.

In the weeks before the food drive, postal customers should receive a postcard or specially marked paper bag announcing their area's participation. If residents are unsure whether or not their letter carrier is participating, they should contact their local post office.

Last year, letter carriers delivered more than 370,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest and its member agencies breaking the previous year's record collection. Donations provide a critical boost for Second Harvest in the summer months, a time when supplies are low and school breakfast and lunch programs are not available for area youth. "It's hard to believe that this national effort has been in effect for more 21 years," Second Harvest Director, Ann McManus said. "We are grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and all their partners for their hard work on behalf of hungry people. We also appreciate contributions made by postal customers across the country and right here in our region. Without this collaboration, many people would go without."