Every year, the letter carriers of the U.S. Postal Service collect food that is given directly to local food agencies. This fabulous event is happening this Saturday, May 12.

This is such an easy way to help feed local families!

Simply bag nonperishable food and place it by the mailbox. Your letter carrier will take it and deliver it to food banks and agencies around the SouthCoast.

If it's easier, you can take it to your local post office.

Items that are good to donate include canned meats, fish, soup, bottled juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal and rice that do not require refrigeration. They request on the website that you do not include any items in glass bottles or any expired products.

If everyone who reads this donates just one item for this food drive, we could help them collect a ton of food! If you can donate two or three cans or boxes of food, that's even better!

This is the 26th annual food drive, and all of us can help make a real difference locally. If you can't feed many of your neighbors on the SouthCoast, then feed just one.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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