Naperville to Strive for 45,000 Pounds of Food Donations Saturday

Outgoing letters aren't the only items mail carriers will be picking up in residents' mailboxes this Saturday.

Representatives from the , local branches of the and nonprofits are asking for donations of nonperishable food during this weekend's kick-off of the 19th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Residents wanting to participate should place their donations in plastic bags near their mailboxes for collection by letter carriers and volunteers. Food will benefit .

The effort is a collaborative one on the part of the city, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the pantry.

“We desperately need tuna this year,” Sue Hrovat, pantry manager, said in a written statement. “Other most requested items we’re low on include chili, cereal, canned pasta such as Spaghetti Os, and pasta and sauce.”

Hrovat asked that people refrain from putting out products in glass jars to prevent them breaking during the handling process.

Stamp Out Hunger has generated more than 1 billion pounds of donated food nationwide since its start in 2002, according to a news release.

“We want you to know that we appreciate what you do each and every day of the year,” Naperville Mayor George Pradel said, in the release. “We really are grateful for all you do to collect food for Loaves & Fishes here in Naperville, and for the more than 31,000 pounds collected last year.”

He encouraged participants to strive for 45,000 pounds in donations this Saturday since the need at the pantry continues to grow.

Employees at both the main post office on Ogden Avenue in Naperville and at the Fox Valley Distribution Center in Aurora learned how their commitment to this annual collection affects the communities in which they work and live.

For more information on the May 14th Stamp Out Hunger drive and for a complete list of Most Needed Items, please visit the Loaves & Fishes website.