Local Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger

Local letter carriers went door to door Saturday, collecting donations for the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

The National Association of Letter Carriers hosted 16th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive to benefit local food banks.

"I still got a long time four or five hours to go ill still end up filing up the truck more than likely," said Socorro Vega, a local letter carrier.

They had hoped to collect more than 75,000 pounds of donations for local food banks. Final counts won't arrive until Monday. However, letter carriers say the community is responding this year.

"We've been getting the word out dropping off pamphlets, bags, a lot of people don't use bags they use their own bags, cardboard boxes, I see them all," said Vega.

Officials say it's all coming at an important time.

Food bank stock has been at an all time low with a decrease in USDA commodities and supply from the Oregon Food Bank.

They say in the summer, fewer people donate meaning all the donations collected through this food drive, will have to last through the fall.

"It's a message we have to keep putting out in front of people we always think of that when situation we think about holidays its heard around the need is year round," said Philip Yates, of Access Incorporated.

It's a time when many people need help.

"A lot of people think food bank people are ones not working unemployment far from truth a lot of people work 40 hours a week, and those are the ones I see in line at the food banks," Vega said.

Neighborhoods throughout Medford, White City, Central Point and Ashland participate every year. This is the first year neighborhoods in Talent, Gold Hill and Shady Cove are also taking part.

Food bank officials say they're optimistic about this year's food drive. Last year more than 40,000 pounds of food was collected in Southern Oregon, on Saturday afternoon, more than 40,000 had already been collected, and there was more coming in.

"This community is amazing come throughout every year if they know the need is they'll respond," said Yates.

If you missed Saturday's food drive.

News10 has teamed up with the CBS Early Show for the "Facing Hunger" project.

You can drop off your non-perishable food items here at the NEWS10 studios on Monday until 5 p.m. At 1440 Rossanley Drive or you can stop by Access Incorporated on Aviation Way behind Costco in Medford.