By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion Post Office needs your help to ‘stamp out hunger? on Saturday, May 9, when they host their 17th annual food drive.
‘It’s called the Letter Carriers? drive but it’s a whole group of people ? all the staff ? who make it happen,? said Pamela Wilson, food drive coordinator in Lake Orion.
To help out, residents simply need to leave nonperishable, unexpired canned and boxed food items in their mailboxes for Saturday’s pickup.
According to Wilson, all food collected through the drive will go to Oxford/Orion FISH. The organization helps those in need in the Lake Orion and Oxford areas.
Wilson said that people going hungry is an issue in this community.
‘You don’t have to look very far to find a person in need,? she said. ‘You basically just need to look down your street.?
Wilson estimates that there are nearly three times more people in need this year than in the past.
She noted that it’s an issue she sees every day on her route, adding that seniors and children are some of the hardest hit. Letter carriers offer unique insight to the economic hardships of their customers as they deliver more and more unemployment checks and food stamps.
‘Most food pantries are in desperate need,? said Wilson, speculating, ‘needs have increased 30 percent and donations are down 25 percent.?
In previous years, the food postal workers collected in the drive would last FISH about seven months, and it now lasts for around 28 days, according to Wilson.
The Lake Orion Post Office collected over 12,000 pounds of food in last year’s drive.
Postmaster Ted Banks said it’s their goal to exceed that this year.
FISH helps approximately 400 people and distributes over 14,000 pounds of food per month.
‘There’s a greater need this year than it’s been any other year,? Banks said. ‘There are a lot of people in Lake Orion. If everyone contributes one item it would be a considerable amount and would generate a lot of food for FISH.?
When the carriers come around to deliver the mail, they will pick up the food and bring it back to the post office where volunteers from FISH will take it to be sorted and organized.
For people who don’t feel comfortable leaving the items at their mailboxes, there is a dropbox located in the outer lobby at the post office.
Banks also says that if you missed your carrier on the day of the food drive, call the post office and they will send someone out to pick up your donations. The phone number at the Lake Orion Post Office is 248-693-3253.
The post office is also collecting cash, check and grocery gift card donations in a jar in their lobby to help families purchase perishable items such as milk, bread and eggs, Wilson explained. Checks should be made out to Oxford/Orion FISH.
Wilson noted she realizes times are tough and it’s hard to give, but every little bit helps.
‘I’m a big believer that what goes around comes around,? she said. ‘When you have the grace to help someone else, I really think that comes back around to you.?
For those who can’t donate food or money, Wilson said they can donate some of their time to help FISH organize and sort food.
Sorters are needed on May 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. and May 10 from noon until 4 p.m. Those interested in helping can contact Oxford/Orion FISH can be reached at 248-693-0638.