The National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive kicked off Tuesday at the Oaklawn Post Office. Approximately 70,000 paper bags are going out in the region to encourage people to donate to the effort. Letter carriers will pick up food donations Saturday as they run their routes. People who would like to donate can leave bags of food beside their mailbox Saturday morning.
"We'd like to give thanks to the public itself for the fine effort they give to make this food drive happen," said John Hill, National Association food drive coordinator in this area.
Organizers hope to collect 40,000 pounds of nonperishable, nonbreakable food items. Last year 36,000 pounds of food was collected.
Members of the community and nonprofit agency leaders attended the event.
"This is the 26th year for this food drive," said Mark Bledsoe, CEO/president of United Way of Greater Texarkana. "It goes to an outstanding cause. Last year 75 million pounds of food was collected nationwide. There are a lot of kids and a lot of families in need that appreciate it. You have the largest food drive in the nation."
Once collected, the food will be donated to nonprofit agencies helping people in need, including Mission Texarkana, Harvest Regional Food Bank, the Salvation Army and the Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter.
"We serve a 10-county area with 55,000 food-insecure individuals. There are 20,000 right here in our area," said Camille Wrinkle, executive director of Harvest. "This food drive comes at a really critical time. We're going into summer and kids will have no free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch."
Chad Stansbury, Texarkana postmaster, told postal workers who attended the kickoff to take pride in this effort.
"This food drive is a big deal. When you come in Saturday you're going to be more tired. Some routes will pick up 30 or 40 bags of food but when you see those 30 wires full of food, I want you to have pride.
"This is a big deal. It's important and something we don't take lightly," Stansbury said.
Anyone who didn't receive a bag can pick one up at Texana Bank.