Ninety-nine percent of a mail carrier’s job is spent sorting, hauling and delivering letters, newspapers and packages for folks on their routes.
Then there’s that very special 1 percent that occurs on the second Saturday in May.
That’s when the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) conducts its annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive across the country. This Saturday will be the 23rd drive.
Locally, mail carriers from the Oxford and Lake Orion post offices, along with volunteers, will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Oxford-Orion FISH pantry.
Residents are asked to leave sturdy bags filled with nonperishable food next to their mailboxes for pickup between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
‘Next to the mailbox, on their doorstep, anywhere that we can see it,? said mail carrier Vicky Haist, who’s the food coordinator for both the Oxford Post Office and Branch 320, which consists of 12 post offices including Oxford and Lake Orion.
Last year’s Stamp Out Hunger drive collected 72.5 million pounds of food nationwide, feeding 30 million people.
‘Most of the food banks in America count on the post office to fill them every year,? said Oxford Postmaster Randy McGeachy. ‘It’s probably the one rare time where management and the union are in sync on a common goal and that’s taking care of the people.?
According to Haist, Branch 320 collected 246,409 pounds last year. ‘We came in second in the nation next to Hawaii, which I think is awesome for our branch,? she said.
Of that, 25,050 pounds went directly to stock the shelves of the FISH pantry.
‘Every year, we’ve done at least 2,000 pounds more from the year before, so I’m hoping to get at least 2,000 pounds more again (this year),? Haist said.
FISH provides free groceries to people in need living in Oxford, Orion and Addison townships along with a small portion of Oakland Township that’s not covered by other agencies.
Last year, the nonprofit group distributed a grand total of 144,165 pounds of free groceries to an average of 150 households (or 350 individuals) per month.
‘We’re a community that when you look around, it looks like everyone’s doing fine. But there’s always people who are in need of help,? said Sue Black, pantry worker coordinator for FISH.
Paula Morris, supervisor of customer service at the Oxford Post Office, agreed.
‘It doesn’t matter where you live, there are people that don’t have food,? she said. ‘There are children that are hungry.?
Black said the NALC Stamp Out Hunger food drive is absolutely vital to helping FISH keep its pantry shelves well-stocked and its client base well-fed.
‘It’s huge. This one carries us through to the fall,? she explained. ‘We have smaller drives throughout the year, but this one engages the whole community.?
The Oxford Post Office collected 13,550 pounds of food during last year’s drive, while the Lake Orion Post Office raked in 11,500.
‘I’ve been very passionate about this food drive for many, many years,? Haist said. ‘To see how much food comes in for one day only, it’s just phenomenal . . . I just cannot believe how wonderful people are to want to share their wealth with other people who are less fortunate. I think that’s what drives me to do this every year.?
‘It’s a big haul of food to take in in one day. We have an amazingly supportive community,? Black said. ‘It’s just a nice feeling to be part of a community that is so concerned with making sure people who are in need of food, get it. People are willing to reach into their pantries or their pockets and make it happen.?
Although McGeachy’s only been in Oxford for a couple months, he’s hoping to spark a little ‘friendly competition? with that post office to the south.
‘We’re hoping to beat Lake Orion this year. That’s our goal,? he said. ‘We’re expecting a lot out of the people of Oxford.?
‘I think we could double what they brought in last year between the two offices,? Morris noted.
A few days prior to the drive, letter carriers will be including with their customers? mail a reminder card and a plastic bag in which to place food items.
McGeachy wished to remind folks to use this bag or other plastic shopping bags with handles. Please do not use paper bags, which aren’t as durable.
‘They don’t last,? McGeachy said. ‘If it’s in a paper bag, it’s going to disintegrate.?
McGeachy also wanted to remind people to limit their donations to nonperishable food items, nothing fresh or frozen.
Examples include canned goods, peanut butter, pasta, rice, cereal, pancake and baking mixes, condiments, etc.
Black asked people to please make sure whatever they’re planning to donate is not expired.
‘When all that food comes in, that’s the first thing we do is sort through all of it and check expiration dates,? she said. ‘We don’t put expired food on our shelves. We only put current food on our shelves.?
McGeachy cannot wait to roll up his sleeves and pitch in during this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
‘I’m actually giving up going to the zoo with my grandson to participate,? he said. ‘It’s kind of humbling when you sit back and think about what you’re actually out there doing. You’re helping people that basically, for whatever reason, can’t help themselves. I just take great pride in what the post office does every year.?
Black noted FISH needs volunteers to help sort food and check expiration days on the day of the drive.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at the pantry at 2 p.m. It’s located at 487 First St., just east of Thomas Rd., in Oxford Township.
‘We welcome all the help that we can get for that. It’s a lot of fun. It really is,? Black said. ‘It’s just wonderful. Everyone pulls together. So many people come to the pantry to volunteer their time on that day.?
Anyone in need of food can call FISH at (248) 628-3933 to schedule an appointment at the pantry