Together, members of NALC Branches 9 and 28 collected 977,000 pounds of non-perishable food on Saturday, May 12. The amount was double what was collected last year, they said.

Nationally, Letter Carriers walking their routes picked up more than 70 million pounds of food in what has become the nation\'s largest one-day food drive. The donations go to local food shelves to replenish their stocks at a time when giving has traditionally been low, but demand continues.

NALC President William H. Young noted that the upcoming summer months “are a particularly critical time for millions of children whose school lunch programs are suspended until fall and their families must find alternate sources of nutrition.”

“Letter Carriers see these families every day as they deliver the mail,” Young said. “This food drive is one way we can help alleviate their plight."