BRISTOL, Va. -- The National Association of Letter Carriers will hold its 25th annual national food drive on Saturday, May 13. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the country's largest single-day food drive and provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need across the Mountain Empire.

Customers simply leave their donation of non-perishable goods next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday and letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes and distribute them to local food agencies, including Feeding America Southwest Virginia. 

With the economic struggles many Southwest Virginians face, the Letter Carriers' Food Drive is as critical as ever. More than 150,000 people face hunger - including nearly 44,000 children - face hunger in the region.

"We're delighted to be able to assist our letter carriers with this important drive," says David Millsap, Feeding America Southwest Virginia Abingdon branch director. "The food they collect on their routes makes a big difference in the lives of those in need, especially for many who are really struggling here in Southwest Virginia."

FASWVA staff and volunteers will be assisting letter carriers at the Abingdon post office, sorting food and moving it to food bank trucks for transport.