Saturday marks the 28th annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive in the Nashoba Valley, with donations set to benefit Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Devens.
As members of the U.S. Postal Service proceed along their routes Saturday, they will be collecting nonperishable food donations. For those with a post office box, local post offices will also be ready to accept. Preferred donations include: Juice, peanut butter, jellies and cams, canned soup, coffee, cereal, canned meats or vegetables, pasta, and personal care items like toothpaste, diapers and shampoo.
In a press release, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Brian Renfroe said, “As the need for food assistance is still more significant than ever, we want to allow everyone to continue to meet that need and help your local community food pantry. The Stamp Out Hunger Drive has a single mission – to feed the hungry in America and, as always, with your help we will, with all donations going directly to your local community food pantry!”
Renfroe added the second Saturday in May is specifically chosen for the annual event because this is a time when pantry shelves are often bare. However, the summer months are a critical time for children with school lunch programs unavailable until the fall, leaving families finding alternate sources of nutrition.
According to a press release, Loaves & Fishes served over 576 families, totaling 1,510 family members in the past year. Of the pantry’s clients, 42% are under 18 or over 65. The pantry serves the communities of Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley.
To volunteer with Loaves & Fishes to help receive, date check, sort and box food on Saturday call 978-772-4627 or email volunteer@loavesfishespantry.org. The food pantry is on the web at loavesfishespantry.org.
