By Anne Murray, Postmaster Ft Myers/Cape Coral

Fort Myers, Cape Coral, FL — Saturday, May 9, is the day set aside this year for the 17th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Over 350 letter carriers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral will be collecting donated food items during their regular delivery of mail. All food collected will remain in Lee County through distribution by the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

The food bank needs to collect a minimum of 300,000 pounds of food this year. Virtually any kind of nonperishable food can be accepted. Items especially in need are peanut butter, tuna, rice, beans, and canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups. This year pet food items can also be accepted.

This year’s food drive is crucial in order for the Harry Chapin Food Bank to provide needed food to their participating agencies during the summer months. The need then is the greatest because many children in need no longer have the benefit of their school breakfast and lunch program.

Postal customers are asked to place their donated items by their mail box prior to their regular mail delivery on Saturday. Letter carriers and post office and Harry Chapin volunteers will do the rest. Plastic bags are being provided by the Publix Supermarkets for this purpose; mail carriers are delivering those bags on Wednesday.

For those who wish to not leave food at their mailbox, can drop off food at their local Post Office. An additional “drop off point” on Saturday for donations will be at the College entrance to Edison State College in Fort Myers. Postal customers who cannot participate on Saturday are asked to take their food items to any Post Office prior to Saturday or during next week; these items will be included in the food drive.

Additional information about the Saturday food drive may be obtained by calling 239-573-9638.

To schedule a presentation for our community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.

For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com.

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