Letter carriers across the nation will pick up more than just mail along their routes on Saturday.

More than 230,000 letter carriers across the nation, including 5,000 in Arizona, will collect millions of pounds of food donations as part of the 27th annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive.

The drive collected about 70 million pounds of food nationwide in 2018, said Jerry Brown, a spokesman for St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, which partners with the Phoenix-area letter carriers in the effort.

The event began with a local branch of Phoenix and Glendale letter carriers in the late 1970s picking up food donations in their own trucks to bring to St. Mary's Food Bank on their off days.

Their efforts were so successful, the drive spread across the state and became a nationwide event 27 years ago. "Stamp Out Hunger" is now held on the second Saturday every May and has collected about 1.5 billion pounds of food in the last 26 years nationwide.

“At least six days a week, letter carriers see firsthand the needs of the communities they work in,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said in a press release. "We’re privileged to be able to help those in need while leading an effort that brings out the best in so many Americans.”

Phillip Dufek, president of the NALC branch 576, the branch credited with the original initiative, said the letter carriers in his branch take proud ownership for the impact they are able to have on the communities they serve.

The branch's history with the drive also adds meaning for the letter carries, he said.

"It says to the letter carriers that we can make an impact nationally, locally and in all of the homes we serve," Dufek said.

Brown said the relationship between the letter carriers and St. Mary's Food Bank is special because it is a partnership that was at the genesis of the nationwide movement.

About 300,000 pounds of food from among the 2 million pounds collected in Arizona in 2018 benefited St. Mary's Food Bank. The goal for 2019 is to reach 400,000 pounds of food, Brown said.

"Not only would it give us a lot of things for our volunteers to do during the summertime, but it also allows us to say 'yes' to every family," he said.

Stocking for the summer

One in five adults and one in four children in Arizona suffer from food insecurity, meaning they are unsure where their next meal is coming from, Brown said. Seniors often have to make the decision between food and medicine, he said.

Food banks distribute more food in the summer than any other time of the year, Brown said.

"Folks who need food and rely on food banks also rely on the school system to feed their children breakfast and lunch, so when the school system ends all of a sudden they are feeding their kids three times a day instead of once," Brown said, adding utility bills add to the financial stress by doubling or tripling wintertime bills.

At the same time, Brown said donations drop to their lowest levels because people who typically donate to the food bank throughout the year head off for cooler climates during the summer.

Brown said the drive offers an opportunity for people leaving for the summer to clean out their pantry before heading out.

"It's a great chance for people to get that stuff out of their house and get it into the hands of people who can use it," he said.

How to donate

It is a long, hot day for the letter carriers, but for those wishing to donate, it's as simple as a morning walk to the mailbox.

Residents across the nation should have received reminders in their mail between Monday, May 6 and Friday, May 10 about the drive along with a bag to fill for the drive.

To donate, fill the bag provided (or any other bag or box) with non-perishable food items and leave it by your mailbox Saturday morning.

Items most needed:

Peanut Butter

Canned food items — fruits, vegetables, meats, soups

Rice

Cereals

Pasta

Items that can't be donated:

Opened foods

Food items without nutritional information

Perishable food items — fresh fruits, vegetables

Baby food

The letter carriers then pick up the food on their regular routes and take it back to their postal offices where trucks from St. Mary's and other local food banks will be waiting.

"In some areas, their trucks get so full where they need to make two or three trips back to the post office to drop off this food," Brown said.

The food put out will be distributed by a local food bank to families in need in the same area, Brown said.

He said it is a long hard day for the letter carriers, but they do it with a lot of passion.

"This is great way for them to give back to the folks on their routes and they really do it with a smile on their face," Brown said.

Interested in volunteering with St. Mary's Food Bank to lend a hand for the "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive on Saturday? Call 602-242-FOOD.

Reach the reporter at GOldham@gannett.com. Follow the reporter on Twitter @graceoldham123.