Postal workers beat record in annual food drive

The U.S. Postal Service's annual food drive, held Saturday, beat its record total in Springfield for 2010.

National Association of Letter Carriers Local 203, which covers the Springfield area, collected at least 118,857 pounds of food, the association announced Tuesday, as part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection drive. The total beats the previous record of 110,000 pounds, as well as the 2009 total of 95,000 pounds. Two communities have yet to send in their collection totals.

Postal customers left nonperishable food items in or near their mailbox, and mail carriers picked up the items as they completed their routes.

This year was the 18th year for Springfield participation in the program. Food collected during the drive is being distributed to The Salvation Army, The Kitchen, Grand Oak Mission and Victory Mission, while surrounding communities will give donated items to local food pantries in their towns.

“The community really came through for those who need a little help this year," said Tammie Yates, local NALC Food Drive coordinator, in a news release. "We just want to say a big thank you to all of our patrons who left food by their mailboxes. It will help so many people."[[In-content Ad]]