Letter Carriers Collect Food for U. P. Food Pantries

On Saturday, May 12, 2011, as they delivered mail, Marquette postal workers joined others across the country to collect 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, although each location organizes its own efforts.

Larry Kuhn, of the Marquette Post Office reported that 14,700 pounds of food were collected in Marquette this year.  This is 900 pounds more than was collected last year.  The workers were pleased to see the large amounts of participation by area residents this year.

As the mail carriers brought the food back to the Post Office, it was divided up and distributed to St. Vincent DePaul, Salvation Army of Marquette, Harbor House, Janzen House and Voices for Youth 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 Negaunee and Ishpeming and towns and cities all across the country participated 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 who stepped it up this year to help keep people in our community fed.