The United Way of Forsyth County is again joining with the Cumming Post Office to stamp out hunger.

On May 13 and 14, local residents are asked to place donations of nonperishable food items by their mail boxes or bring them to the post office.

The donations will be picked up by postal workers and later divided among 10 food banks in the Forsyth community.

Melissa Corliss, an organizer with United Way, said this will be the third year the organization has worked with the post office for the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out the Hunger Drive.

She said in 2009, about one ton of food was collected locally in the drive. Last year, that number rose to more than 12 tons.

“We contribute the success [of last year’s drive] to the 44,000 flyers that were distributed to residents throughout the county,” Corliss said. “The flyers raised awareness of the drive and the needs.”

Corliss said residents in zip codes 30040, 30041 and 30028 should expect to receive flyers in their mailboxes again this weekend.

The national drive is held each year in May to collect food for pantries which often see increased need as students get out of school for the summer break, Corliss said.

According to information from the United Way, some 22 million students nationwide are at risk of going hungry when the school year ends since they won't have access during the summer to complete and nutritious meals.

“The increased needs during summer months can put an extra strain on our local food pantries,” Corliss said.

She hopes the drive will match or top last year’s donations.

“This is an easy way to help those less fortunate,” Corliss said. “The collected items will allow local food pantries to increase their support to families in need throughout our community … the community support of this food drive can have a tremendous impact.”