City residents are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 14 to be collected by the letter carriers.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City is pleased to be the local recipient of these donations, filling the shelves of its food pantry with the food items given so generously by the community. These items stay in Michigan City and will go to families in need right here in our own community.

Currently, the local food pantry needs proteins – canned meats, peanut butter, and other non-perishable sources, as well as jelly, cereal, and pasta.

Major Becky Simmons, who oversees the local Salvation Army alongside her husband, Major Dale Simmons, encourages everyone to participate in this annual event. Even if it’s one can of vegetables or a single jar of peanut butter – every little bit helps.

In past years, the amount of food collected during this drive has gradually become less and less, but the need still exists. In 2019, letter carriers toted nearly 11,000 pounds of food during the food drive, and this year the goal is to surpass that number. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Letter Carrier Food drive did not occur in 2020 or 2021.

Carolyn Kennedy, the letter carrier who organizes the event, is proud to be part of this annual food drive, hoping to make a difference in her city. “Carriers are out there every day.  We see the need,” she said. “This is our way of being of service to the community. This year we hope to exceed our previous drives to make up for the pandemic.”

Hundreds of people visit The Salvation Army of Michigan City every week to receive food from its pantry – all with varying degrees of need. Some count on the groceries received through The Salvation Army to feed their families every month while others just need the occasional help to make ends meet.

Our food drive’s timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need. “We exist to help those in need through the love of Christ,” Major Becky Simmons said. “If we can give them some food on their table, some peace of mind and make an attempt to meet their spiritual needs – that is our mission.”

This year, businesses are encouraged to take part in this food drive, as well. For those that are closed on Saturday – the day of the event – mail carriers will instead pick up donations from these businesses on Friday, May 12.

Participating in this year’s Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is simple. Just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox Saturday, May 14, 2022 and your letter carrier will do the rest. With your help, letter carriers and the US Postal Service have collected over 1.88 billion pounds of food in the United States over the 29 years as a national food drive. Please help us in our fight to end hunger, as we celebrate our 30^th anniversary year in America’s great day of giving.