Mesa County letter carriers will be a part of the nation's largest one-day food drive this Saturday with the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Residents should find a plastic bag with their mail this week to serve as a reminder to make a donation for the food drive. All you have to do is put non-perishable food items in the bag -- or use your own bag -- then leave it by your mailbox this Saturday (May 9). The letter carriers and volunteers will do the rest.

While all food donated in Mesa County stays in Mesa County, here are some interesting facts from United Way about hunger in America.

  • 49 million or 1 in 6 Americans are food insecure, which means they are living at risk of hunger or don't know where their next meal is coming from.
  • Nearly 16 million or 1 in 5 children live in a food insecure household.
  • 1 in 7 Americans live at or below poverty level and use SNAP benefits (formerly Food Stamps).

Last year, Mesa County residents donated nearly 70,000 pounds on Stamp Out Hunger Day, and the letter carriers are hoping to top that this year.

So, tie a string around your finger - or whatever you have to do- to remind yourself to set out your food donation this Saturday and help feed the hungry in Mesa County.

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