Muskogee's postmaster is urging citizens to provide their support to the US Postal Service's annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive being held today. Interested people are required to put non-perishable food items in a sturdy bag near their mailboxes from where postal carriers will collect their contributions, said Chris Baker, postmaster.

More than 18,000 pounds of food was collected by Muskogee postal workers last year and Bakers want to go beyond that this year. Baker said that the food collected through contributions would go to the Salvation Army, Gospel Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities and the Community Food Bank.

The postal workers collected 70 million pounds of food nationwide. People can visit Wal-Mart and the three Homeland stores to buy bins. In order to encourage students to participate in the drive, classrooms at Hilldale Elementary School have challenged each other to collect the maximum amount of food. A pizza party will be the award for the winner.

"One day out of the year we carriers can come together and help those who are struggling or in need. It makes me feel good that people in the community come together and help those in need", said John Wofford, food drive coordinator for the post office.

Stamp Out Hunger asks every community across the country to unite at least for one day to provide their contribution in the battle with hunger. Bakers expressed gratitude for community members who provide their significant support by donating non-perishable items and for the letter carriers who do their bit by collecting each bag to help fight hunger.

Today is the 23rd annual Postal Carriers Food Drive and residents have been urged to place non-perishable food in a bag and put it near their mailbox by 9 am. Distribution of the donated food items between area food banks will take place this afternoon.