The Roanoke Rapids Post Office will not only be making deliveries Saturday — it will be making pickups.

These pickups are of food for the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive Day.

Today, Mayor Emery Doughtie presented the post office with a proclamation declaring this Saturday Letter Carriers Food Drive Day.

“Every year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food as part of the nation's largest one-day food drive, distributing the donations to local food banks,” the document signed by the mayor says. “The Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is just one example of how letter carriers work to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.”

Since the pilot drive was held in 1991, more than a billion pounds of food have been collected. “The city of Roanoke Rapids would like to recognize all letter carriers for their hard work and their commitment to their communities.”

Jennifer Braden said the food collected will go to replenish food pantries at the Union Mission, Hannah's Place, Angels Closet, the Bethlehem Food Bank and the Jo Story Senior Center.

To participate simply place non-perishable food items in bags close to the mailbox and the carriers will pick them up.

“It's another indication of how the community comes together,” said Gilbert Portela, director of Angels Closet. “We appreciate the postal carriers both locally and nationally.”