Letter carriers picking up more than mail Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Letter carriers hope to collect 15,000 pounds of food Saturday in Moses Lake.

The National Association of Letter Carriers' Moses Lake branch is collecting non-perishable goods from residents while delivering mail.

Citizens can place food by mailboxes anytime before mail is collected or in the Moses Lake Post Office parking lot located on Third Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Branch President Susan Hagaman said.

"There's a lot of hungry people in this nation," she said. "That's the most important thing, to feed our children."

Letter carriers chose to collect food during May because food banks usually run low during the middle of the year, Hagaman said. Most people donate during the holidays in November and December.

Citizens can also donate checks payable to the Moses Lake Food Bank.

Every dollar donated equates to one pound of food, she said about the new goal.

In addition to nonperishable foods, citizens can donate unused diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other similar amenities, she said.

The program celebrates its 15th year in 2007. In 2006, 12,580 pounds of food were collected.