The USDA ranks Oklahoma as the 4th hungriest state in the nation, with one in five children at risk of going to bed hungry tonight. Wondering what you can do to help?

On May 8, letter carriers throughout Green Country will be working to stamp out hunger as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers' 18th annual food drive.

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the nation's largest single-day food drive and last year more than 100,000 pounds of food was collected locally. With emergency food programs in eastern Oklahoma reporting a 40 percent increase in need due to the economy, the goal this year is to raise150,000 pounds.

"In these trying times it's important for Americans to rally behind causes like the Letter Carriers Food Drive to help their neighbors struggling with hunger," said Fredric V. Rolando, NALC president. "While we're very proud of our success over the years in the battle against hunger, the fact remains that more Americans than ever are in need, which is why we remain committed to this drive."

To help Stamp Out Hunger! in Green Country this year, simply leave a bag containing non-perishable food next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on May 8. Many letter carriers in the Tulsa area will be delivering plastic sacks donated by Reasor's a few days before the event that you can use. Most needed items include soups, vegetables, canned tuna or chicken, stews, dry milk, pasta, rice and cereal. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. Local letter carriers will then collect donations from homes across the region and deliver them to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma or one of 205 emergency food pantries in Eastern Oklahoma.

"The Food Bank and emergency food pantries throughout our service area depend heavily on the food collected during Stamp Out Hunger," said Sara Waggoner, the executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. "For many of the smaller ones in our service area, this food is expected to get them through until the holidays."

Customers can also bring donations to Reasor's 21st & Yale store on Saturday, May 8th from 8 am to 5 pm. The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and The National Letter Carriers will be set up in the parking lot accepting donations on the spot.