The annual Letter Carriers Food Drive is right around the corner, and volunteers and food donations are needed to make this annual event a success.

Volunteers are needed to join the Letter Carriers to sort the food at four post offices – two in Everett, one in Edmonds and one in Lynnwood. Volunteers can learn more and sign up at t.uwsc.org/fooddrivevolunteer

Yellow collection bags will be left in mailboxes the week of May 9. To participate in the food drive from home, please leave the yellow bag of nonperishable food items at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up on Saturday, May 14. Are you participating this year? Use #FeedSnoCo on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook to share how!

“This is the 24th year of the Letter Carriers Food Drive, and we look forward to this event every year,” said Chris Kelly, Letter Carrier Branch 791 Delegate. “Every year this is a much needed event in Snohomish County. It is so easy for the letter carriers to pick up the food and it is a great way we can give back to the community.”

Last year, 259,822 pounds of food was collected for this event, providing 202,985 meals, and accounting for half of all food received by Snohomish County food banks for the entire year. Snohomish County food banks rely heavily on the canned goods, dry foods such as pasta and cereal and other non-perishable items that make up the bulk of food donations.

 “We know that 1/3 of Snohomish County households are struggling to meet their basic needs such as food, rent, and utilities. The Letter Carriers Food Drives helps alleviate the stress families are facing just trying to put food on the table,” said Betty Welsh, Manager of Labor Engagement at United Way of Snohomish County.

Although the food drive is a national event, here in Snohomish County it is organized by National Association of Letter Carriers Local 791, Volunteers of America Western Washington, United Way of Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Labor Council.