Letter Carriers' Food Drive is Saturday

Saturday's outgoing mail may contain a bit more than stamped envelopes. Saturday is the annual National Association of Letter Carriers' food drive.

Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey County residents are asked to donate nonperishable food items which will be given to local food banks. Items should be left in a bag next to the mailbox and will be picked up by carriers while on their route.

Carson City coordinator Gregg Swift said for those with community mailboxes, items may be left in bags on the ground next to the boxes.

"And for those who don't feel secure about leaving it, go to any Albertsons store in Carson City. They will have red barrels at the front of each store for collection," Swift said.

Advocates to End Domestic Violence Executive Director Lisa Lee, said the food drive gets her over the hump of summer and into the fall.

"We only do two food drives a year - the 'Share Your Holiday' food drive at Christmas and this one," Lee said.

"The letter carriers' food drive benefits our shelter tremendously. We've been psyching up for it and shuffling food around so we can get more food into each pantry. It's truly important to us."

"This is the 12th year nationally and Carson City has been involved in each one," Swift said.

"In Carson City last year we collected right at 40,000 pounds. Friends In Service Helping Executive Director Monte Fast said what he gets is about 40 percent of his yearly food bank operation. He said they are getting a little low and the timing is good."

A large postal truck Saturday will go to a predetermined location to meet with individual carriers for pick up. Or, the carrier may make extra runs back to the post office to drop off food at the dock.

In an arrangement with Carson City Wienerschnitzel owners Tony and Michelle Coltrin, a full line of the restaurant's hot dogs will be served to the carriers Saturday at the post office. Soft drinks will be provided by FISH.

"This (food drive) is critical to our successful summer food distribution program," said Fast. "We see about 45 families a day. This will last well into the summer.

"We'll serve about 4,000 families total with this food, which goes across Carson, Storey, Lyon and Douglas counties."

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.