Postal workers will deliver the mail and pick up food for the hungry on Saturday, May 11, in “Stamp Out Hunger,” the nation’s largest single-day food drive.

The event locally benefits Food Lifeline’s efforts to stock area food banks and to feed hungry people throughout King County.

The 21st annual event brings together the National Association of Letter Carriers and Feeding America affiliates across the nation. In Bellevue and the rest of King County, local letter carriers will drop off Stamp Out Hunger bags in advance at some 750,000 households. Residents will then be asked to fill the bags with non-perishable food for pickup on May 11.

Last year, more than 260 tons of food was collected in King County – over 525,000 pounds and the equivalent of 1.5 million meals for hungry people, said Food Lifeline CEO Linda Nageotte. More than 70 million pounds of food was collected nationwide.

“This single event makes an enormous difference for our neighbors in need,” Nageotte said. “It takes only a moment to fill your Stamp Out Hunger bags with good, nutritious, non-perishable food, but your generosity can make an impact that lasts a lifetime for the kids and families who rely on Food Lifeline for help.”

For those unable to take part on May 11, or who would like to do more to fight hunger in the community, can participate in the “virtual food drive” by donating online to Food Lifeline at www.foodlifeline.org/stamp.