FOLEY, Ala. — The nation’s largest single-day food drive will take place on Saturday, May 9, when letter carriers in more than 10,000 U.S. communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks.

“Foley and Elberta communities have always responded generously to the annual drive,” said Pam Meredith, director of Ecumenical Ministries Inc.’s South Baldwin office located at 102 W. Spruce Ave.

EMI is a social service agency partnering with the United Way of Baldwin County.

“Last year’s total was 2.25 tons,” Meredith said, adding that EMI’s food pantry “needs to be constantly re-stocked.”

According to the National Association of Letter Carriers, an estimated 13 million children are among the millions who face hunger daily. Since 1993, more than a half-billion pounds of food to “Stamp Out Hunger” have been donated by American families.

The process by which local letter carriers, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, will collect the donated food is simple. Bags filled with non-perishable food items should be placed next to the mailbox on Saturday. Letter carriers will pick up the bags and deliver them to the food bank, in this case EMI’s food bank.

According to Meredith, specific food items needed include boxed dinners, canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, and breakfast items. Any non-perishable food items are needed, but those items should not be out-of-date or in glass containers.

To learn more about “Stamp Out Hunger,” visit HelpStampOutHunger.com.

In addition to providing a seven-day emergency supply of food, EMI assists clients with completing the food stamp application, Meredith said.

“We keep the application on hand for qualifying individuals/families to pick up,” she said.

“This drive in conjunction with the food drives done by our supporting churches should get us through the summer months.”

EMI’s South Baldwin Office can be reached at 251-943-3445.