Mail Carriers Collect Food for the Needy

Mail carriers will be collecting something other than outgoing bills and personal letters today. They’ll also be picking up donations for local food banks.

For the fifth year, the U.S. Postal Service is asking the public to contribute nonperishable, unopened food and toiletries to its Letter Carrier Food Drive. Donations may be left next to mailboxes for carriers to pick up while delivering the mail or can be taken to any post office that is open Saturday.

Last year, approximately 300,000 pounds of food and toiletries were collected throughout the San Fernando Valley and Pasadena, according to a postal service spokeswoman. Nationwide, 45 million pounds were donated, including 5 million in California.