Valdosta residents made donations in record numbers Saturday for the annual Letter Carriers National Food Drive. Throughout the city, mailboxes could be seen adorned with the designated blue plastic bags filled with canned and other non-perishable food items.

Though this year’s goal of 150,000 pounds was not reached, a record 144,050 pounds was collected during the one-day drive, according to Frank Richards, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia director.

The number of pounds collected has been on the rise each year with 80,000 pounds collected in 2003 and 115,000 pounds collected by the 2007 drive.

Valdosta has a history of collecting more food items than any other Georgia city, with the exception of Atlanta, and has carried on that tradition this year.

But, the large number of donations could not be possible without the efforts of the National Association of Letter Carriers local branch 998. The men and women of this local branch worked throughout the day still ensuring that the mail was collected and delivered, while making numerous stops to drop off vehicles full of food items. Their efforts and the donation of their time is what keeps this worthwhile cause going year after year.

The 72 tons of food collected this year will be returned to the community through the work of America’s Second Harvest. The local warehouse was filled with pallets of food, which painted a strong picture of the efforts of the community and a tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.