Chicago, IL — The National Association of Letter Carriers AFL-CIO (NALC), Branch 11 invites Chicago postal customers to help "Stamp Out Hunger" during the 15th Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive, May 7-12.

Customers are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at any Chicago Post Office during the drive. Donations will be sent to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, to help re-stock local food pantries during the summer months.

"Donations to food banks run slower during the summer, but the need remains great year-round," Jimmie Canada, NALC Branch 11 president, said. "Contributions to our annual Food Drive help our neighbors in need throughout Chicago."

"The NALC Food Drive is an excellent example of the dedication of our employees," Chicago Postmaster Gloria E. Tyson said. "Our letter carriers do more than deliver the mail, they are important members of the communities where they work."

On Thursday, May 10, AARP Illinois representatives will be at the Main Post Office, 433 W. Harrison St., and the Auburn Park Post Office, 8345 S. Ashland Ave., to collect donations to the drive, as part of AARP's National Day of Service.

Chicago customers donated more than 25,000 pounds of food during last year's drive.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.