Tewksbury Food Pantry Shortages Critical, Postal Carrier Collection is Saturday

The annual National Postal Carriers' food collection each May is responsible for about 25 percent of the annual food collections for the Tewksbury Community Food Pantry.

Each year, that is, except last year.

According Todd Johnson, a member of the Food Pantry Board of Directors, the Postal Carriers' food collections were down significantly last year, a situation he blames on federal budget cuts.

"They didn't advertise the food collection last year on the federal level like they have done in years past," said Johnson. "Collections were way down, far less than any time in the last 15 years. So we are really trying to get the word out this year."

The Tewksbury Postal Carriers' Food Collection will take place on Saturday, May 11. Residents are being asked to leave non-perishable food items in or near their mailboxes.

All of the food collected in Tewksbury will remain in Tewksbury to help local families in need. According to Johnson, that need has been growing steadily in recent years. And right now, meeting that need has become very difficult.

"We distribute food each month to more than 250 families in Tewksbury," said Johnson. "Right now our shelves are sore lacking food supplies. We really need the public to help us replenish our shelves."

For a list of acceptable food donation items, log onto www.tewksburypantry.org.