If it's not too late, remember that Saturday, May 14 is the food drive by the post office. I live in Ocala, FL. The city has 50,000+, along with the outlying districts. Last year the USPS in Ocala had 580,000+ pounds of food donated, which was more food than donated by Atlanta, Detroit and other large cities. Many believe one reason for the high number is the large retiree population here, people who remember what it was like to not have enough food. For myself, every time I go to the grocery store I look for the "buy one, get one free" offers. If I use the product I buy it, keep one for myself and put the other in a bag for the next food drive. Today I had enough to carry over two bags of food.

The food drive is so important and can help make a difference to families in need. Our food pantries are receiving fewer donations and those who used to donate are now receiving food donations. Our bag is ready for the mail carrier today.

I was going grocery shopping last night anyway and just bought some extra for the drive. I had reorganized my pantry last month and added stuff from that with my Mom's stuff I was donating. Times are really hard and Florida (my part anyway) will be a long time recovering and we haven't had any major disasters - though hurricane season is about to begin...

yep, i just put a bag outside for my mailman. we had brownie mix, cake mix, and other things my hubby can't have anymore. so they are gone now. also put in some vegetables and such to go along with the "bad" stuff.

Thanks for the reminder! :)

I meant to do this when I got the postcard and got sidetracked. Only took a minute to pack a bag.

Thank you for the reminder. I had gotten a bag ready and asked my husband to put it out when he left. I looked over after reading this thread, and there it sat! I put it out right now.

Mail won't come to my house, to rural. Maybe I can leave a can in my PO Box.

I think I missed my carrier. I put the bag out hoping one would see it on their way back through the neighborhood. If it's still there in a bit, I'll have to just take it to the post office.

Janette, thanks so much for the reminder. My DH & I oversee the food pantry at our church. We do give away alot of food during the month. I contact the state and we get surplus canned goods from them. At the holidays we gave away close to 100 food baskets for families here in our community. We are a small town of only 1000 so giving out 100 baskets was a large amount. Year before last we only had about 38 families. The times are depressed and alot of people are needy. Our local 4H kids did toys for tots too. They got each child a toy and a new winter coat. We are at 4200' altitude so we do get some harsh weather in the winters.
crafty_linda_b

Thank you for the reminder :D:D:D