HOUGHTON - Employees from Copper Country post offices are working to stamp out hunger this weekend with their annual food drive.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is held the second Saturday in May annually and is recognized by every post office nationwide, said carrier Shelley Wilson.
"This is our 20th annual food drive and we pick up non-perishable food at mailboxes," she said.
Article Photos
Kurt Hauglie/Daily Mining Gazette
From left, postal clerk George Gill, carrier Eric Mantila and volunteer Casandra Mantila move a basket full of donated food onto a pickup truck May 9, 2009 at the Hancock Post Office during the mail carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Local residents should soon begin receiving notes about the food drive in their mailboxes and can leave a bag of non-perishable foods to be donated to a local food bank.
"Last year, we collected 7,000 pounds between Hancock and Houghton," Wilson said.
Saturday, the bags left by mailboxes will be picked up by mail carriers.
"If you have something that is too cumbersome, or you are concerned about the weather, you can drop it off at any post office," said Houghton Post Office Supervisor Carl Torola.
Plastic bags will be delivered to houses for the food and Torola asks donors to staple the reminder card to the top of the bag if possible so the carriers know that is the bag to picked up.
"We always have a really good turnout," he said.
According to helpstampouthunger.com, nearly 49 million Americans, including more than 16 million children, are facing hunger. The donations will help stock local food pantries.