The 17th annual National Association of Letter Carriers will be collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry in Platteville on May 10 as part of their “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign.  The Platteville Post Office hopes to collect between 2,000-3,000 pounds of food.

“Millions and millions of families are suffering — struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” Rick McQuillian, temporary postmaster for the Platteville Post Office, said in a press release. “More than ever, food banks, pantries and shelters need our help this year.  Families are counting on them for support, and they’re counting on us.”

People who are interested in donating food can drop off items in the lobby of the post office.  There will be plastic food bags delivered to homes in Platteville. Residents can fill the bags with non-perishable food items and leave the bag at their mailbox for the carriers to pick up. Donations will be collected by more than 1,400 local branches of the 300,000 member postal union and delievered to food banks, pantries and shelters that serve the community.

The National Association of Letter Carriers National Food Day to “Stamp Out Hunger” is the largest one-day food drive in the nation, according to the press release. Carriers collected 73.1 million pounds of food last year in more than 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

For more information on the “Stamp Out Hunger” event, visit the NALC Web site at nalc.org/commun/foodrive. Call the Platteville Food Pantry at 778-8572 or e-mail the Platteville Food Pantry at plattevillefoodpantry@hotmail.com with any questions.