With an increasing number of people seeking assistance from local food pantries, agencies say any donated items from Saturday's "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive will benefit many north country families.
The food drive, sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service and the Campbell Soup Co., collects nonperishable foods to be distributed to various food pantries. Items in glass containers will not be accepted.
Donations will remain in the communities where they are made. In Watertown, for example, all of the donations received will be distributed to community members through the Watertown Urban Mission and Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County's food pantries.
"We have so many people coming in that we could use almost anything," said Mary M. Morgan, director of the Watertown Urban Mission.
More than 2,300 households sought assistance from the mission's food pantry in January through April.
Although the agency received a delivery May 2 from the Food Bank of Central New York, Miss Morgan doesn't anticipate it will last long.
She said although the agency could use any item, there is a particular need for canned fruits and soups.
"We always needs fruits," she said. "We've been running out of canned fruits and soups that people can mix with stuff to make casseroles."
There's also a need for personal hygiene items, such as razors, deodorant and shampoo, which aren't covered by Food Stamps, she said.
Tammy S. Kitto, CAPC senior intake worker, said although there is no collection goal, she'd like to see the agency end up with 8,000 pounds of food.
"I'd say 20,000, but it's way out there," she said.
Vegetables, macaroni and cheese, pasta and canned soups are some of the foods CAPC distributes with its three-day food supply packages that weigh 30 to 40 pounds.
One item the agency's pantry could use, she said, is baby formula that is not expired.
Ms. Kitto said that as the price of fuel soars, she wonders whether the postal food drive will be affected.
"Gas prices have trickled down the food chain, and we're wondering if we'll get food donations like we have in the past," she said.
People who wish to make food or toiletry donations Saturday can put the items into a container, sack, box or bag next to or on their mailbox, and the letter carrier will pick up the goods, Watertown Postmaster Jeffrey A. Sands said.
"We'll also have a drop box in our post office lobby," he said of the 232 Commerce Park Drive post office. "This is a pretty easy way to make a positive difference for people who are less fortunate."
Ms. Kitto and Miss Morgan said with the added workload mail carriers will have Saturday, they want to make sure the postal workers know it's appreciated.
The "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive is the first of two food drives the U.S. Postal Service holds each year. The second, Harvest Food Drive, takes place in the fall.
