With the economy still attempting to find a leveling out position, the need to help our friends and neighbors has never been more important.
This is why it is necessary to take a few minutes to remember the National Association of Letter Carriers' food drive, aptly titled ''Stamp Out Hunger.''
Each year, letter carriers around the nation take time from their own busy schedules to collect food during their routes the Saturday before Mother's Day. This year, it is May 9. The reason it should be mentioned is because it is an annual event, like most things that occur over and over again, there is a tendency to become complacent.
We get our postcards with the whimsical Campbell Soup Kids characters proclaiming the day. Is it that time already? Seems like it was just here, and here it is again. So we toss the card aside with good intentions, but still somehow manage to forget to add a few extra canned goods to our grocery shopping list for the purpose of helping the hungry in our area.
All of the donations stay local and serve clients of Emmanuel House at 2 N. State St. in Girard. While much of the fundraising for those in need is held during the holiday season, it is important to help our friends and neighbors throughout the year. There is no better way to show how much we care than to participate in the food drive.
With job losses and the economic turndown, we have all been forced to tighten our belts even more. As the summer season progresses, it is important to remember that people are in need all year.
So mark your calendars for May 9. Or better yet, mark your calendar for May 6, 7 or 8 to remind you to stop at the store or clean out your pantries and give some of your overflow to help those who need it the most. No expired or homemade food items please, as those are quickly discarded.
If you have too much for your mail carrier to handle, that's OK too. They will send a truck just to pick up your donated items.
The food drive couldn't be done without the dedication of your mail carriers, but nor could it be done without your generosity. The giving nature of the Girard community is commendable and very much appreciated.