The Salem, Centralia, and Mt. Vernon Post Offices are among those participating in the nationwide ‘Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive’ on Saturday.
Salem mail carrier Isreal ‘Izzy’ Fontenez says it’s easy to participate and help the less fortunate in the community. Just place non-perishable items at your mail box prior to your mailman’s arrival on Saturday.
“All you do is get non-perishable food. I like to think about the kids because this is the time schools are letting out for the summer and kids might need a little extra help getting food. I get out ravioli, cereal, granola bars, stuff like that, but whatever you have. We are looking for non-expired, non-perishable foods that go to the food banks. In Salem we give to the Salem Food Bank at the Community Center. In Centralia they have a mixture of food banks they give to but it stays in Centralia.”
Fontenez says the rural mail carriers in Salem and Centralia will be collecting food as well this year even though you may not have received a reminder card for them in your mailbox.
Fontenez says some family members are also involved and will pick up food along the routes. All the postal carriers will gather at their post office at the end of their routes to combine all the food to be taken to the food pantries in their community.
