Increased demand spurs Letter Carriers Food Drive

Many new faces are walking into food pantries seeking help just putting food on their tables.

Saturday, the Letter Carriers Food Drive will support four local pantries through the Central Missouri Food Bank's Cole County warehouse.

Citizens are encouraged to set out cereal, canned goods and pasta near their mailboxes early Saturday morning. Letter carriers and volunteers will be picking up from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

“This is the first year we've ever taken part in it,” said Jim Roberts, a 17-year volunteer with the First Christian Church food pantry. “We're very pleased. It seems like it (is getting) more difficult to provide the food.”

In past years, the collection has gone entirely to the Samaritan Center. But this year, due to the poor economic times, the letter carriers decided to partner with the Central Missouri Food Bank, said Maranda Carpenter, who is a city carrier.

About 50 city carriers and more carriers from about 20 rural routes will be collecting Saturday, along with volunteers to help transport and sort the food items at 1750 Jefferson St. The donations will be stored at the Cole County warehouse and all of it will stay local serving the Samaritan Center, The Salvation Army, First Christian Church and First United Methodist Church.