The National Association of Letter Carriers, United States Postal Service and United Way have again teamed up to help Stamp Out Hunger in the community and across America. The NALC National Food Drive is the largest one-day food drive in the nation and is etched on the calendars of millions of Americans who want to contribute to help needy children, men and women in their cities and towns. This is the 16th annual letter carriers food drive. All items collected stay in Ponca City says Dale Coons, local food drive coordinator.

Saturday, residents can leave non-perishable, non-breakable food donations in a bag near their mailbox before their letter carrier arrives. The food bags will be picked up by letter carriers and community volunteers.

Letter carriers see the needs of the community each and every day as they deliver letters from family and friends; birthday and holiday packages and those never ending bills. They know the porches and faces of the hungry children and families in the community.

Below are the agencies that receive the baby food, macaroni and cheese, tuna fish, Campbell's Soup, and other needed food items that are left on the porches throughout the community.

Agencies

The Mission located at 909 E. South Avenue provides a feeding program Monday through Friday. The doors open at 9 a.m. for breakfast. There is a praise and worship service and a hot meal at noon.

Domestic Violence Program of North Central Oklahoma provides a safe shelter to women and children escaping domestic violence and sexual abuse. Three meals a day, 365 days a year are served at the shelter for those seeking safe haven. Food is also given to non-residents with children who attend support groups and children activities.

Golden Villa Adult Day Services housed at 1722 N. Fourth, Suite B, is a community based daytime program for frail, elderly and partially impaired persons. Up to 20 people daily are fed breakfast and lunch plus two nutritious snacks five days a week.

New Emergency Resource Agency located at 501 N. First helps individuals and families with a variety of emergency services. For hungry families and individuals in Kay County they can receive a week's worth of emergency food assistance while they are applying for other assistance and looking for work.

Northern Oklahoma Youth Services provides numerous services to youth and families. Three meals a day are served to youth up to 18 years of aged who are temporarily residing at the youth shelter.

The Salvation Army provides not only 3 meals a day to residents but provides groceries to hungry families who come through the social services department every day with bare cupboards due to job loss, illness, or too many bills and not enough income.

May is an excellent time for the food drive as many food pantries are at their barest after the holiday giving has been exhausted. These donations help fill the need for food through the summer months.

For more information call United Way at 765-2476.