Updated Wed., 5/9 – Letter carriers at the Rhinelander Post Office will “Stamp Out Hunger” on Saturday, May 12, when the annual food drive celebrates its 20th year. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations from homes as they deliver mail along their routes.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive-held in conjunction with the Postal Service-is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. This joint effort will help feed families in all 50 states. Last year, 70.4 million pounds of food was collected across the country, resulting in more than 1 billion pounds of food collected since the drive began 20 years ago.

Closer to home, letter carriers at the Rhinelander Post Office are getting ready for this year’s event and hoping to exceed last year’s total of 11,000 pounds of food.

“With the commitment of our employees and the support of community, we’re excited to participate in this year’s food drive,” said Rhinelander Postmaster Darlyn Jackson. “We’re asking everyone throughout the community to help us make this the most successful food drive in its 20 year history. Leaving a donation is as simple as leaving a bag of non-perishable food by your mailbox.”

To participate in the 20th Stamp Out Hunger food drive, people are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12.

Rhinelander letter carriers will collect these food donations as they deliver the mail. For those going out of town, donations can be dropped at the Post Office during window hours through Monday, May 14.

“Many families are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table during these challenging economic times,” said Jackson. “Our local food pantries need our help as more families count on them for support.”