Local postal workers' food drive Saturday

Carrie Kirschner/The Independent

Ashland May 07, 2008 11:09 pm

— Mail carriers across the United States are picking up more than letters this week.
Local carriers will collect nonperishable food items along their routes on Saturday as part of the 16th annual Stamp Out Hunger National Association of Letters Carriers’ Food Drive.
Items collected locally will be distributed to six area food pantries through River Cities Harvest. Residents are asked to leave items in bags near their mailboxes.
Michael Burchett, secretary of Local 745 of the NALC, said carriers in Boyd and Greenup counties collected more than 32,000 pounds of food last year.
“Nationwide we’re trying to top the 70 million-pound mark again,” he said. “Last year was the fourth consecutive year we’ve done that.
“I think it’s more important this year with the high gas and food prices. I’d say the food banks are going to see a more diverse group of people needing help.”
Jim Fouts, program coordinator of RCH, said about 16,000 pounds, or 8 tons, were distributed through the agency to Community Kitchen, the Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, the Cannonsburg Food Pantry, Safe Harbor, the Shelter of Hope and the Salvation Army last year.
He verified many of the pantries have seen demand spike in recent months as the U.S. economy has slowed and fuel and food prices have risen. He said the economic hardships many residents are feeling makes it that much harder for food pantries to collect the supplies they need.
Burchett said residents will receive a post card in the mail this week if their carrier is participating in the drive. He also offered these tips to residents to assist their carriers: Double bag canned items and place them either on or in mailboxes in areas with rural carriers.
Items can also be dropped off at local post offices on Saturday. Burchett said post offices in Ashland, Russell, Argillite, Catlettsburg and Flatwoods are participating.
Huntington Area Postal carriers are also participating in the food drive. A kick-off event will be at the Huntington Area Postal Credit Union, 500 Virginia Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Residents are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to this event.
CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.