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Here they are, the official weight count from the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 12. I am pleased to tell you that we, the people of Juneau and Douglas, collected 5,946 pounds of food.

This Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers with cooperation from the National Rural Carriers Association and the U.S. Post Office.

We donated 2,207 pounds of food to the Helping Hands Food Bank and 3,739 pounds to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank.

Thank you to all the grocery stores that allowed us to put hampers for collection in their facilities: Alaskan and Proud market, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Super Bear and Wal-Mart.

We collected 310 pounds of food more than last year, which is really good, since Juneau is in a state of emergency, due to the avalanche.

Even though we are having some hard times, everyone still gave what they could. I'm glad our food drive went well, because now, more than ever, more people here are going to need to go to the food banks for help. Families will have to choose between paying their light bill or buying food. The food we collect here in Juneau feeds people here in Juneau.

Thanks to all who gave and helped with our 2008 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Mark J. Piotrowski

Juneau