Mail carriers collecting food

WASHINGTON (AP) - The annual charity food collection by the nation's letter carriers will be held Saturday.

The 16th annual drive by the postal union is aiming to top last year's collection of 70.7 million pounds of food.

Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers collect nonperishable items along their regular delivery routes, and the food is passed along to local food banks and pantries in the communities where it is collected.

"With rising prices for gasoline and food, an unbearable squeeze has been placed on family budgets, forcing many Americans to seek help for the first time from community food banks and pantries to get adequate nutrition," said NALC President William H. Young.

The carriers are asking donors to place food items such as canned meat and fish, soup, cereals, pasta and rice near their mailboxes.

Glass containers and expired items should be avoided.

In Chicago and New York City, residents should take their donation to their local post office.