Published: April 29, 2009 09:37 am      

Mail carriers deliver help

Lebanon — Lebanon mail carriers will be delivering more than the normal letters and bills next month.

They will be dropping off mail, but picking up food and bringing it to The Caring Center.

It is the Letter Carriers National Food Drive on May 9, and city and rural mail carriers will be collecting food to be distributed locally through The Caring Center. Bags and instructions will be dropped off on May 2.

“Anybody that gets mail delivered is more than welcome to leave food out for us,” said Joe Lucky, of the Lebanon Post Office.

Though it is the 17th mail carrier food drive nationally, it is the second year that Lebanon has participated. Last year, the post office collected four tons of non-perishable food.

“Last year went really well,” Lucky said. “Everyone was amazed at how well it went.”

But this year, Lucky hopes it goes even better. With the struggling economy and a larger number of people in need, he hopes to collect five tons of food — 10,000 pounds.

“People really donated a lot last year, but I’m expecting even more this time,” he said.

The post office is in need of volunteers to help with the event — to carry food into The Caring Center, and possibly to help out carriers on their routes, since their mail trucks fill up very quickly. To volunteer, contact the Lebanon Post Office at (765) 482-2630. City carriers Kellie Renick and Cheri Flora and Rural Carrier President Rhonda Dean are heading up the event.

The Caring Center is also looking for volunteers. Those interested should call Brenda Daggy at (765) 482-2020.

Food donated should be non-perishable and should not be in glass containers or be expired. The public can leave food out by their mailboxes or bring it to the Lebanon Post Office, 304 W. Main St. The food will then be weighed all together and transported to The Caring Center.