VALLEY — The 26th annual National Letter Carriers’ Food Drive will be taking place this Saturday, May 12th. It’s the nation’s largest all-volunteer one-day food drive, and people in the local area are being asked to take part. All they have to do is to leave some non-perishable food items by their mail box Saturday morning for their letter carrier to pick up when he or she is making their rounds.

For a number of years, local Kiwanis Clubs helped out in a big way. “We’ve always done a food drive in November with the Kiwanis Clubs helping us,” said Robin Maness of the Valley Post Office. “From this day forward, the letter carriers will be doing the NALC drive. Our local Kiwanis Club members will still help us deliver the food from the Post Office to the Interfaith Food Closet, and we appreciate that.”

Maness said she wanted to thank Donnie Erwin-Brown of the Food Closet, Al Smith, Kay Goggans, Debbie Wood and Bo Colley for their help. “They have taken of their time to help us move the donated food from the Post Office,” she said. “We also appreciate the help we have gotten from Phillip Sparks and the Valley Lions Club along with Paul Crowder and his Boy Scouts.”

“Spread the word, and help us stamp out hunger,” said Maness. “You can help by placing healthy, non-perishable food by your mail box on Saturday.”

Recommended items include pasta, oatmeal, canola oil, peanut butter and canned goods including beans, fruit, vegetables, soup, tuna in water, meat and sauce. Those making donations are asked to avoid placing items in glass containers.