ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is asking residents to participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers national food drive on Saturday, May 13th. 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 neighbors in need.

“This is our 31st year of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ the Stamp Out Hunger food drive event,” said Rodney Stanfield, local chapter president. “And it's not just the homeless that need the food; it's the elderly, retirees or the families with jobs that just don't pay enough for them to afford the food."

All anyone needs to do to participate is fill a sturdy bag of non-perishable food and leave it by their mailbox on May 13th by 9 a.m. for the letter carrier to pick up. Donations stay local, going to the Food Bank, community pantries and agencies. 

"Your donation might just be helping a neighbor, friend, or even a relative,” said Stanfield. 

Last year along the Food Bank received more than 7,500 pounds of food from Stamp Out Hunger, equating to more than 6,200 meals. According to the Food Bank the most needed items are canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, dry pastas, boxed macaroni and cheese and canned soups