Next month a chance for Atmore area residents to help local people facing hunger will be as close as the end of the driveway-literally.

Saturday, May 12 the National Association of Letter Carriers will be conducting their 20^th annual food drive, with letter carriers from more than 1300 branches across the nation participating.

Tracy Macks, NALC shop steward at the Atmore Post Office, said all people need to do to be a part of the food drive is place any non perishable, non breakable food items they would like to donate to the cause inside of their mailboxes on the designated day. Mail carriers will then pick up the donations, which will be given to a local food bank.

“We are very, very lucky here in Atmore to have all of our donated food to go to the Atmore Area Christian Care ministry,” Macks said. “None of the donated foods leave Atmore.”

Macks said paper bags have been collected for residents to use to gather donated items, but added there are currently not enough to cover all of Atmore. She said anyone who does not receive a bag should feel free to use any plastic bags or other containers to hold donated items.

With last year’s drive bringing in 70.2 million pounds of food nationally, upping the 20-year total to l.l billion pounds, Macks said she is looking forward to another successful year, due, in large part, to the generosity of local residents.

“Atmore is a very close knit, loving community,” she said. “I have no doubt that this year’s food drive will be a great one.”

Macks stressed every donation, large or small, contributes to the drive and makes a big difference for someone in need.

“By this time of year most food bank stocks have been exhausted and with school soon to be out for summer the need is strong for families that rely on school lunches,” she said. “Remember, every little bit helps. You don’t have to donate a lot. If everyone would donate a little, we would have a lot.”