To the editor:

It's that time of year when you can make a difference for the less fortunate. I'm writing about the yearly "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive that's been ongoing for over 30 years on the second Saturday in May.

This food drive is a mutual partnership between the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service. It involves a very simple approach on its success. You leave some (non-outdated), non-perishable food on your porch or by your mailbox by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 and your letter carrier will do the rest. It's that simple.

Over the years, 10,000 cities and towns throughout the U.S. have participated in this yearly venture and during this time billions of pounds of food have been donated. This food has gone to neighboring food pantries and shelters. For instance in Bristol, the local letter carriers picked up this food along their routes and delivered it to the East Bay Food Pantry, located on Wood Street in Bristol. The food that is collected, for one example, helps during summer months especially when schools are out and free breakfast/lunches are not available.

According to Jocelyn King, the pantry's Food Program Manager, the following items are what they are low on: Cereal/oatmeal; pasta; canned meals, such as, ravioli, chili, and soups; and personal care items, such as, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and tampons.

You can do your part even if it means leaving only a couple of can goods to be picked up. If everyone would consider doing just this, thousands more pounds of food would be collected for the needy.

Together, we can make a dent for the food-insecure folks in our communities.

Gerry Payette
Bristol
U.S. Letter Carrier/Retired
East Bay Food Pantry/Volunteer