As April's showers give way to May's flowers, local U.S. Postal Service employees have begun preparations for this year's "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive.

Letter carriers across the country will be collecting nonperishable food items left on mailboxes along their routes, all part of the National Association of Letter Carrier's (NALC) one-day effort to combat hunger.

The drive takes place the second Saturday in May, which means this year's donations will be collected May 10.

The local post office estimates more than 19,000 pounds of food were donated during last year's food drive, easily surpassing its goal for the event.

"I know we cannot change the deficit of hunger by ourselves," said Gaffney Postmaster Garvin Daniels following last year's food blitz, "but with the help of everyone, we can do our part in reversing the trend."

In addition to post office employees picking up food donations made by local residents, the downtown Pizza Inn has offered to help. Customers will receive a 10 percent discount on an adult buffet meal at the local eatery May 6 should they donate three nonperishable food items during their visit.

"Pizza Inn has added support to this effort by giving a special focus on the drive," Daniels said.

Food collected by local mail carriers will go to the Salvation Army, Miracle Hill and Peachcenter Ministries and the Cherokee Children's Home, among others.The Gaffney post office will hold its annual kickoff ceremony in the front courtyard of the mail facility May 6 at 9:30 a.m.

"We hope you support this great effort," Daniels said. "Hopefully, we will either see you at Pizza Inn or you will place a donation by your mailbox so we can help collect the largest oneday food collection in this event's 16-year history along with helping our community."