Provide food for post office drive

SANDUSKY — This weekend, local post office workers aim to address a major issue impacting many community members. The 34th-annual Letter Carrier Food Drive event takes place on Saturday. It's considered the nation's largest single-day food drive, happening across many local communities, including in Sandusky and surrounding areas. On Saturday, postal office workers "are asking every home to leave nonperishable food items near their mailboxes prior to their mail delivery," according to a U.S. Postal Service statement. Locally in Sandusky and the 44870 ZIP code area, which also includes Perkins Township, "A letter carrier or volunteer will pick up your donation and deliver it to a Sandusky food pantry," it read. "All the food collected stays right here in our community." The area drive often collects thousands of pounds of food. Take 2024, for instance, when those in the Sandusky area collectively contributed more than 25,000 pounds of food. But, in 2026, "We need your support more than ever," the statement read, pointing out how many food banks are experiencing shortages in supply and cuts to available items. It's compounded when factoring in how everyday residents, seemingly, are struggling more than ever. "This is a worthwhile effort," said Wayne Roesch, a Milan resident who served as a Sandusky-area letter carrier for 37 years before retiring in 2022. "There are a lot of people in need, and some people are struggling to make ends meet," Roesch added. "They are having to decide whether to buy food or pay their utility bills or pay for medication. With the price of food, some people are going without what they need, so a drive like this helps them." How to donate? In prior years, the post office would provide paper bags days in advance. This year, however, they're not available due to an oversight. People can still place items out in containers like disposable and/or plastic bags on Saturday. The nationwide campaign recommends nonperishable items people can donate, like peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, instant potatoes, Jell-O and pudding, pancake mixes and syrups, pastas, powdered milk, soups and spaghetti sauces. Businesses and groups, meanwhile, can also take part in this event through a monetary donation. The campaign noted how "100% of the donation will be used to buy items from the food pantry wish lists." People can make out checks to "National Association of Letters Carriers, Branch 100" in their mailboxes. They can also mail it to the Sandusky post office, 2220 Caldwell St. Similar to last year, the Sandusky area drive benefits Care and Share of Erie County, Father's Heart Family Church, OHgo, Sandusky's Salvation Army and Victory Kitchen. "This is all about helping people in our community," Roesch said.