FORSYTH COUNTY — Mail carriers in Forsyth County will be picking up some special items along with their normal letters and cards on Friday and Saturday. All postal customers are invited to leave nonperishable food items in or near their mailboxes for carriers to pick up as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out the Hunger Drive. Food donations can also be made any day this week at the Cumming Post Office on Tribble Gap Road. As in recent years, the United Way of Forsyth has teamed up with the post office for the local effort. This is the sixth year for the United Way to help, said Melissa Corliss, director of community impact.“In 2009, approximately one ton [of food] was collected and it has increased every year,” she said. “Last year, approximately 19 tons of nonperishable food items were collected and distributed to 14 local food pantries or shelters.” According to Corliss, the collection effort gained momentum in 2010, when the United Way began producing a flier.“The fliers are distributed by the mail carriers on their routes the week prior to the event,” she said, noting that this year some 40,000 were placed in mailboxes. Corliss said the collection effort is held annually at the close of the school year since summertime, when students are out for break, is when most food pantries see the greatest need. Corliss said she hopes the event continues to grow this year.“This is a simple way to help support our local food pantries,” she said. “Just put a bag of nonperishable food items by your mailbox and the carrier will pick it up.”
FORSYTH COUNTY — Mail carriers in Forsyth County will be picking up some special items along with their normal letters and cards on Friday and Saturday. All postal customers are invited to leave nonperishable food items in or near their mailboxes for carriers to pick up as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out the Hunger Drive. Food donations can also be made any day this week at the Cumming Post Office on Tribble Gap Road. As in recent years, the United Way of Forsyth has teamed up with the post office for the local effort. This is the sixth year for the United Way to help, said Melissa Corliss, director of community impact.“In 2009, approximately one ton [of food] was collected and it has increased every year,” she said. “Last year, approximately 19 tons of nonperishable food items were collected and distributed to 14 local food pantries or shelters.” According to Corliss, the collection effort gained momentum in 2010, when the United Way began producing a flier.“The fliers are distributed by the mail carriers on their routes the week prior to the event,” she said, noting that this year some 40,000 were placed in mailboxes. Corliss said the collection effort is held annually at the close of the school year since summertime, when students are out for break, is when most food pantries see the greatest need. Corliss said she hopes the event continues to grow this year.“This is a simple way to help support our local food pantries,” she said. “Just put a bag of nonperishable food items by your mailbox and the carrier will pick it up.”