Last year, Moniteau County residents donated more than 2,000 pounds of food to locals in need. The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is calling on California residents to donate again.
On May 11, residents may leave non-perishable items and monetary gifts for mail carriers to pick up. The National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger event collects items and distributes them to pantries within the community.
California Postmaster Lisa Meyer said 4,000 distribution bags went out to residents May 3. The pantry needs peanut butter, canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, whole-grain cereal, rice, beans and boxed meal helpers.
The carriers cannot accept frozen, homemade or home-canned foods.
Cargill Cares Food Pantry at 303 Latham Road will collect, weigh and distribute the items locally.
Max Walker, who is the ordering and distribution manager, said they are happy to be supporting the cause and the carriers.
"We appreciate all the donations," Walker said. "We get quite a bit from the food bank in Columbia, but donations come in from different individuals and churches. It's just amazing how giving this community is."
The pantry's hours of operation are 3-5 p.m. every first, second and third Thursday and Friday. The pantry is also open from 9-11 a.m. every third Saturday.
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is one of the largest one-day drives in the nation, according to the food bank. The organization turns each $10 donations into $210 worth of groceries.