The chance to help feed needy families throughout Dowagiac begins this week as the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive takes place Saturday at the U.S. Postal Office, 202 Commercial St., in downtown Dowagiac.

The National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Association of Rural Letter Carriers, both in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, sponsor the local drive, which is in its 12th consecutive year. Last year, the Dowagiac post office brought in nearly 7,500 pounds of food items that filled the local food banks. This year, office supervisor Janet Moelaart hopes to see even more contributions.

“Dowagiac is very good about giving back to those less fortunate,” Moelaart said Wednesday in anticipation of the drive. “Often times, we see the lower-income families giving more than others that donate.”

While carts will be placed in the lobby of the post office Saturday to collect donations, others who wish to donate can collect and bag food items and place them by their mailbox for pickup by a letter carrier.

“We sent out flyers in the mail letting people know,” Moelaart said. “We also placed flyers around town so people could prepare and start donating.”

Among items accepted for donation include canned goods, such as vegetables, meats and juice. Items , such as pasta, cereal and rice, can also be given. Perishable or glass-contained items will not be accepted.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to see people try to help one another,” Moelaart said. “Even though the economy is a factor, people still give as much as they can.”