The 2015 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, will take place Saturday, May 9 throughout the City of Alexandria.

“Last year we were able to collect over 75,000 pounds of food for local food banks,” said Stamp Out Hunger area coordinator Brian McCormick. “If each customer in Alexandria were to leave one bag of non-perishable food items for their letter carrier to pick up, thousands of families in this immediate area would have enough food to survive.”

Now in its 23rd year, Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive and has collected more than 1.3 billion pounds of food over the drive’s history.

To participate in this year’s drive, place bags of non-perishable food items by your mail box before your mail is delivered May 9. Donations can also be dropped off at local post office branches throughout the city.

“Over 150,000 residences are being asked to donate food that will be given to local food banks,” McCormick said. “Last year the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected over 72.5 million pounds of food nationally with 75,000 pounds collected for local food banks such as ALIVE!, Koinonia, Rising Hope UMC and United Community Ministries.”

Donations of non-perishable food, including pet food, will be distributed by the letter carriers to local shelters and food banks. Examples of non-perishable items include: Peanut butter, canned soup, canned meats and fish, canned vegetables, fruits and juices, boxed goods (such as cereal), pasta and rice.

For more information, contact Brian McCormick at 571-278-3231.