VERONA, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is encouraging community members to participate in the annual Stamp Out Hunger (SOH) food drive on Saturday, May 11, by donating food and volunteering at a local collection site.

SOH, the nation’s largest one-day food collection effort, is hosted by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Last year, SOH collected 115,019 pounds of food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which helped provide more than 115,859 meals to neighbors living with food insecurity.

The Food Bank is also seeking volunteers to help collect and sort food donations at post offices in Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville. Volunteer shifts will run between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., depending on the location.

Those wishing to give can leave non-perishable food items at their mailbox for their postal carrier to pick up on Saturday, May 11. The most needed food donations include canned fruits, meats, and vegetables low in sodium and sugar. Giving paper products, diapers, and personal care items is also encouraged. Glass items or those requiring refrigeration cannot be accepted.

A full list of needed food items and volunteer opportunities can be found at brafb.org/ event/stamp-out-hunger.