Eastern and central Maine letter carriers again will help Stamp Out Hunger in a national food drive Saturday, May 10.

Now in its 16th year, the Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Last year, residents of eastern and central Maine contributed more than 123,500 pounds of food for local food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.

In Maine, 10 percent of all households are “food-insecure,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Almost 20,000 Maine children are hungry and an additional 64,000 are at risk of hunger. This month, government officials announced that more Maine residents are applying for and receiving food stamps, bringing the state’s enrollment in the federal program to 176,000 people – an increase of 15,000 since January.

The food drive is supported by the local chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the United Way of Eastern Maine. More than 70 area post offices have agreed to collect bags of nonperishable food during their regular mail delivery on the day of the drive.

“Maine people are known for their generosity and caring, particularly when they realize they are helping their neighbors,” Mike Tapper, event coordinator at United Way of Eastern Maine, said recently. “We are anticipating a significant response to this year’s food drive, given the state of the economy and the awareness of the need to support one another.”

Area residents who want to participate should leave a sturdy bag containing nonperishable foods – such as canned meat, vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, cereal or biscuit mix – next to their mailbox before the time of regular mail delivery Saturday. Food items should be in nonbreakable containers such as boxes, cans or plastic jars. Local letter carriers will collect the contributions and ensure that they immediately get to local pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.