Don't be surprised this Saturday when you see bags and boxes sitting under mailboxes or hanging from the bottoms of them. It's the second weekend in May , and that means it's time for the U.S. Postal Service Stamp Out Hunger Campaign. Donating is easy!

Each year, postal carriers across the country collect donations of non-perishable food items that are left out for them. Obviously, they can't hold all those donations in their postal vehicles, along with the mail, so you'll notice vehicles following them around, storing all the goodies!

Last year, Eastern Maine residents contributed over 77,000 pounds of food. This year, event organizers are very optimistic that Mainers will help to collect over 80,000 pounds of food in one day. Those donations will then be distributed to area food banks, pantries, and shelters that serve the communities where they were collected.

According to the United Way, 15.1% of Maine households, or more than 200,000 people, are food insecure. That means 1 in 4 children go hungry every single day. The need is great so the Postal Service is hoping you can help out!

Making a donation is easy. Just leave a bag (or bags!) of non-perishable food items near your mailbox. You can hang it off the box, or just set it on the ground underneath. But make sure it's there before your letter carrier makes their usual stop. They'll have vehicles following them around, to store all the donations.

Acceptable items include cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce (in cans or plastic bottles), rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili, and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken, and  turkey), beans (canned or dry), will be accepted. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans.

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