To the Journal editor:

On May 12, as they delivered mail, Marquette postal workers collected food donations to help re-stock local food pantries. “Stamp Out Hunger” is a nation-wide effort by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the United Way, with each location organizing its own efforts.

Larry Kuhn, of the Marquette Post Office, reported yet another successful year. With the effort of your mail carriers, combined with the community’s willingness to address the issue of hunger, the one-day event brought in more than 16,000 pounds of food. Larry explained some drivers had to make multiple trips to make room for the donations in their vehicles.

As the mail carriers brought the food back to the Post Offices, it was divided up and distributed to St. Vincent DePaul, Salvation Armies, Harbor House, Warning Center, Janzen House, and other community agencies to help fill their dwindling pantries.

The need for food for all agencies has increased with economic conditions, and the agencies welcome food and monetary donations any time of year to help them serve a growing number of clients.

Letter carriers in Marquette County along with towns and cities all across the country participate in this collection. Nationwide, over a billion pounds of food have been collected through the efforts of the many local branches and the participation of residents.

The National Association of Letter Carriers, the United Way of Marquette County and the agencies that received the donations would like to thank the generous citizens of Marquette County who stepped it up this year to help keep people in our community fed. The United Way would also like to thank Larry Kuhn and the rest of the letter carriers for their time and willingness to support this cause year after year.