Published: May 16, 2008 03:08 am            

Letter carriers food drive successful

PALESTINE — Despite higher prices at the grocery store, Anderson County residents came through for others less fortunate.

County residents donated 6,377 pounds of food during Saturday’s National Association of Letter Carriers’ 16th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive.

The amount of non-perishable food collected by city and rural postal carriers nearly matched last year’s total, despite the downturn in the economy, local spokesman Larry Loney said Thursday.

“We need to thank Palestine and the (surrounding) communities for their support,” Loney said. “Special recognition goes to the rural letter carriers for assisting us and the postal employees of Palestine.”

In addition to the cans and boxes of food picked up at mailboxes, the Palestine Blue Cross/Blue Shield office held its own food drive, collecting and donating 385 pounds of food, Loney said.

Everything collected remains close to home.

“Everything stays right here in Palestine,” Loney said. “Nothing leaves Palestine.”

Some of the agencies around the community which received the food include the battered women’s shelter, the Rainbow Room, assisted living, the Stock Pot, and food pantries at First Presbyterian Church, St. Vincent de Paul with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, First Baptist Church and Dogwood Hills Baptist Church.

        

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