Local letter carriers ask Akron council to help publicize annual 'Harvest for Hunger' mailbox food drive

Tim Heitik, a representative of the National Association of Letter Carriers, addressed Akron City Council during public comment to ask members to help publicize the union’s annual mailbox food drive, Harvest for Hunger.

Heitik said letter carriers across the country collect nonperishable food left by mailboxes on the second Saturday in May and deliver it to local food banks. “Over its inception in 1993, our union nationwide has collected over 2,000,000,000 pounds of food,” Heitik said. He added that last year in Akron carriers collected about 21,000 pounds, which he said goes to the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank.

Heitik told council members the timing in May is intended to help when school is out and families may lose access to school meals. He urged council members to use their ward networks, churches and social media to spread the word: “It’s very simple. Just place food by your mailbox. We’ll get your mail to you. We’ll take the food.”

Heitik listed typical items for donation—peanut butter, cereal and soup—and said donors can leave nonperishable items next to curbside or porch mailboxes, by cluster box units or inside apartment mail areas where carriers can reach them.

Heitik also acknowledged local volunteers and supporters and asked council to help publicize the drive citywide. He said flyers are available and that carriers will collect and bring donations back to the post office for transfer to the regional food bank.

The council did not take formal action on the request; Heitik’s comments were recorded as part of the meeting’s public comment period.