Letter carriers will collect non-perishable food items for the 24th year on Saturday, May 14, the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

Led by letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO), with help from rural letter carriers, other postal employees and other volunteers, the drive has delivered more than one billion pounds of food the past 24 years.

Carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters.

David Iverson, director of Extended Hands Food Bank, said his organization heavily depends on the food collected during the drive to “take us through the summer months.”

To donate, place a box or bag of non-perishable food next to the mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted and delivered to an area food bank or pantry where it is available for needy families.

Postal carriers will place reminder cards in your mail boxes of the date.