Fri, May 13, 2011 08:06 PM

May 12, 2011 - NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. - While working their normal routes on Saturday, Northborough postal workers will also be picking up extra packages of donated food that will go to local families in need as part of the national Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

The Northborough Postal Service will be collecting food left at mailboxes on Saturday May 14 for the Northborough Food Pantry, as part of the nation-wide drive by the United States Postal Service.

According to Director Sue Seppa, the Northborough Food Pantry is very grateful to the Postal Service and the carriers who add to their normal responsibilities collecting food during their routes and drop the donations off at the Pantry.

"The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is important as it helps to fill the shelves for the summer months when donations tend to drop off," Seppa said. "The summer months are when we face our biggest shortages."

She noted that this food drive is one of three major ones held to benefit the pantry throughout the year, the others being the Feinstein Food Challenge performed in the schools and the Scouting for Food Drive held with the Boy and Girl Scout Troops.

Food pantry volunteers will assist the carriers by helping to transport food to the pantry, sort the food and stock the shelves at the pantry. Volunteers will be at the food pantry between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Having the postal workers pick up donations makes it very easy for residents to donate and many residents are happy for this opportunity," Seppa said. "We are very grateful for all the support the Pantry receives from the Bob Wendorf, coordinator for the postal workers and all postal workers who have added to their responsibilities leaving notices in residents mailboxes about the drive, picking up the donations and dropping them off at the pantry."

Seppa has asked that people thank their postal service worker for all that they are doing for the Northborough Food Pantry when you see them on Saturday.