ST. CLOUD -- Clean out your pantry and grab some extra items at the grocery store because the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back.

The 24th annual food drive hosted by the National Association of Letter Carriers begins tomorrow (Saturday).

You can drop off non-perishable food items or health products at the post office or leave them under your mailbox to be picked up by your carrier. To be sure your donation is collected make sure it's left under your mailbox no later than 9:00 a.m. Saturday. 

Lead organizer Joyce Bell says the amount of food and cash collected each year varies and they have high hopes for this year.

"Last year we brought in 28,000 pounds [of food] and $125, I would say it would be great if we could hit 30,000 pounds [this year]," says Bell.

All the donations go to support the local Catholic Charities and Salvation Army food shelves.

Food donations are not the only type of donations the Stamp Out Hunger drive is accepting. Catholic Charities communications coordinator Trina Dietz says you'd be amazed by what else a person can't afford who is struggling to buy food.

"I remember meeting a mom one time who had been using the food shelf and she said she was so excited when she got a gift card to Wal-Mart from her grandchildren's mother. She said 'I get to wash my hair for the first time in a year because I got to buy shampoo.' " --Dietz

Dietz says they are always in need of health and hygiene items including feminine products.

Cash and check donations will also be accepted, all checks can be made out to either the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities.

Last year's drive collected 71 million pounds of food making Stamp Out Hunger the largest national food drive.

 

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