DURANT – On May 14, letter carriers helped “Stamp out hunger” by collecting 10,172 pounds of food from residents on their mail routes. All food donations collected from Durant letter carriers will benefit the hungry in Durant through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s partner agencies Loaves and Fishes and St. Catherines.

“Our food pantry had gotten very low in inventory the last couple of months because new clients sign up each week, on top of serving the normal group as well,” said a partner agency of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “The Letter Carriers Food Drive came at a perfect time for us. We were able to receive enough food to help get us through the summer months, when there are greater needs because of the children being home from school. Both the postal office and our volunteers are very excited about this successful drive.”

While donations are still coming in, more than 800,000 pounds of food have been collected to date from letter carriers in 83 cities in central and western Oklahoma. The goal of the food drive is to collect 900,000 pounds of food.

“I want to thank the letter carriers and everyone who made a donation to help fight hunger in Oklahoma,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “Because of your support, Loaves and Fishes and St. Catherines will have more food available to help feed the hungry in Durant.”