U.S. Postal carriers are hoping to pick up more than just outgoing mail on May 14.

Local carriers will once again be participating in the National Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger” by collecting donated nonperishable food items from residents during their daily mail rounds. The food will then be donated to the United Samaritans Foundation (USF) in Turlock.

“It is a real supplemental food source for both our Daily Bread lunch trucks and emergency food boxes,” said USF director Maris Sturtevant. “This food drive is a valuable asset and we are always in need of food.”

This annual project brings in between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds of donated food.

“The people here are so generous,” said U.S. Postal carrier and event coordinator Rosalinda Rojas. “And everything stays in this community.”

The “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive has resulted in the delivery of over one billion pounds of donations to community food banks and pantries in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam over the past 18 years, including 77.1 million in 2010.

To participate in the drive, leave bags of nonperishable food donations at mail boxes and in post offices on May 14.

To contact Kristina Hacker, e-mail khacker@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2004.