OAK FOREST, IL - The national Letter Carriers' 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive takes place on Saturday, May 13 this year and the goal in Oak Forest is to collect enough donations to fully stock the local food pantry at St. Damian Church. To do that, city residents will have to donate 12,000 pounds of canned goods according to Denise Holub, a retired Oak Forest letter carrier who continues to lead the effort for the local version of the food drive.

"We are always thankful to have our residents help out," Holub said. "We are trying to keep this above 12,000 pounds so all the families who use the pantry can be fed through the summer months."

It's the 25th anniversary of the national food drive. In Oak Forest, the amount donated has varied over the years. They received their highest amount in 2014 with 21,400 pounds. In 2015, the number was 15,150 and last year it was 13,250.

All residents have to do to take part in the drive is leave a bag full of canned goods next to their mailbox on the day of the drive. All donations within the city limits of Oak Forest will be sent to the St. Damian food pantry.

To help spread the word, Holub said the city of Oak Forest has made a proclamation for May 13 to be "food drive day" and has sent out robocalls reminding residents how to take part and when.

The bag in which residents should fill with the goods will be sent to their homes about a week before the drive, Holub said.

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