Postal customers in Kitsap County donated over 153,000 pounds of food, hygiene items, paper products and cleaning supplies.

For the third year, Letter Carriers delivered plastic bags with the Food Drive logo and donation information to Kitsap County postal customers. In the past Carriers had just delivered postcards, which they did again this year. But the addition of the bags in most areas continues to make a significant difference.

“The Letter Carriers Food Drive is critical for our counties Food Banks,” explains David Foote, Executive Director, and United Way of Kitsap County. “Kitsap County Food Banks have had a tough year. Often the food bank shelves were nearly empty because of the demands placed upon them in these tough economic times. Once again, the generosity of Kitsap County residents who so often give from their hearts have come through to help their neighbors. In addition, a huge “Thank You” goes to all Mail Carriers; Rural, City and Contracted, who participate and collect the food each year, it is their participation over and above their regular duties that makes this work so well for everyone.”

Donations have been delivered to food banks in the areas where they were made. Following are the results by area:

• Bainbridge Island: 14,779 pounds
• Bremerton: 65,000 pounds
• Port Orchard/South Kitsap: 37,600 pounds
• Poulsbo/North Kitsap: 19,363 pounds
• Silverdale/Central Kitsap: 12,590 pounds
• Kingston: 1,379 pounds
• S’Klallam/Port Gamble/Hansville: 2,112 pounds
• Tahuya: 260 pounds

   “It has always been a privilege working with the fantastic men and women within the United States Postal Service,” comments John Blair, Port Orchard Postmaster, “but I am never more proud of my organization than when it comes to the food drive. Despite the fact that the NALC sponsors this great event it is widely supported by the rural carriers, clerks and management as well. Additionally, there are many volunteers who donate their time. Postal employees work hard on a daily basis but never as hard as the Saturday of the food drive. It is amazing to see the amount of food that comes into each Post Office. The residents of Kitsap County have been tremendous in their generosity over the years.”

The Letter Carriers Food Drive is sponsored locally by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) with the support of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, United Way of Kitsap County and Kitsap Newspaper Group/Sound Publishing.