The U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers’ 19th Annual Food Drive on Saturday was again a tremendous success and the non-perishable food items that were donated will provide assistance for people right here at home.

Kim May, director of the Salvation Army in Troy, said more food items were donated this year than in past years.

“The Salvation Army’s food pantry greatly benefited from the U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers food drive this year as the local post offices chose to make the food items solely available to us,” May said. “All of the food collected will be distributed locally.”

During the winter months, there is a great need for food, May said.

“So, at this time of the year, the food panty is always getting low and needs to be replenished. The letter carriers’ food drive is always a big boost to us.”

May said the Salvation Army food pantry now has a good assortment of non-perishable food items.

“We are in the process of getting all of the items sorted and on the shelves,” she said. “We have guidelines for those who receive food from the Salvation Army food pantry so those who seek assistance must qualify. There are times, however, when there are exceptions and we just have to make the call on those situations. But, most of the time, the qualifications must be met.”

May expressed appreciation to the “letter carriers” and all of those who assisted in the collection of the donated food items at the Troy, Goshen and Banks post offices.

“We want to thank them from all of us at the Salvation Army and on behalf of those who will benefit from their generosity,” May said.

The 18 previous USPS Employee Food Drives collected more than one billion pounds of food. The food drive in 2010 collected a record 77.1 million pounds.

In the United States, 49.1 million people live in households where the people don’t know where the next wholesome meal will come from. Of that number 17.2 million are children and 2.5 million are seniors over age 65.

Last year 4.8 million needy households received emergency food from food banks or pantries.