Clarkston-area letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices this Saturday for local community food banks, during their Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive.
‘Not only do we feed a lot of less fortunate people, but we also inform the community on the importance of donations,” said Carlean Newman of Clarkston Post Office, who has been rallying the cause for over 11 years. “With enough donations, we are sometimes able to fill up the Lighthouse and even donate extra to the Gleaner’s Food Bank.?
Donations have been plentiful in years past, and Newman is expecting just as much this year, if not more.
‘We have less sponsors this year than last, so we are really trying to get the word out about our cause,? she said. ‘We always do very well in our city and rural communities, especially in Clarkston. We’re just hoping we can recieve even more donations this year.?
Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect donations in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ food drive.
Led by NALC letter carriers, with help from rural letter carriers, other postal employees and other volunteers, the drive has delivered more than one billion pounds of food the past 22 years.
To donate, place boxes or cans of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail on the second Saturday in May. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families.
? Lauren Barnhardt

Letter carriers will collect food for families in need during their Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, Saturday, May 12.
Leave canned meats, fish, soup, juice, vegetable, pasta, cereal, rice, and other non-perishable food items by your mailbox for pickup ? nothing expired or in glass containers.