Not knowing where your next meal is coming from is a frightening problem faced by many Americans, even in a relatively-affluent place like north Oakland County.

Not everyone in this area lives in a high-priced subdivision, owns acres of land in hunt country or drives a brand-new car. There are folks of all ages who struggle to make ends meet and go to bed hungry.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is asking people to keep this in mind and place some food by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 11.

That’s when the NALC will conduct its 27th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Oxford and Addison residents are encouraged to leave canned goods and other nonperishable food items (no glass jars, please) by their mailboxes that day.

Vicky Haist, food drive coordinator for NALC Branch 320, which consists of 12 post offices including Oxford and Lake Orion, is reminding residents to not contribute any food items that are past their expiration date.

She noted that a food pantry in Pontiac is no longer participating in the Stamp Out Hunger drive because “almost half” of the donations it received were expired and as such, could not be distributed to those in need.

“We’re asking people to check the labels and make sure it’s not expired,” Haist said.

To Haist, having a successful food drive is about the quality of the donations, not just the quantity.

“(Expired food gives) us volume, but who cares about volume? We need to have our people not go hungry,” she said.

Food donations should be placed in paper, plastic and cloth bags or inside sturdy cardboard boxes. People are encouraged to give whatever they can afford. Whether it’s one can or 10 cans, Haist said every item is “appreciated.”

Letter carriers from the Oxford Post Office, along with volunteers, will collect the donations between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

All of the food gathered by the Oxford and Lake Orion post offices will be used to stock the shelves at the Oxford-Orion FISH pantry.

“It is our biggest drive of the year,” said Julie Howald, pantry contact and vice president of the FISH board. “Last year, we got about 60,000 pounds, which is about three or three-and-a-half months worth of (food for) our clients. We hope for as much this year.”

Since 1973, FISH has been providing free groceries to families, individuals and senior citizens who need help because they are living on low or fixed incomes, or have fallen on hard times due to unemployment, illness or other personal crises.

Last year, FISH distributed 186,953 pounds of free food to individuals living in Oxford, Addison and Orion townships and their respective villages. On a monthly basis, the group gave groceries to an average of 170 households or 394 individuals.

“There is a need,” Howald said.

Haist urged folks to remember that anybody can fall on “hard times” and require a helping hand from FISH.

“It could even happen to you,” she said.

During the 2018 Stamp Out Hunger drive, the Oxford Post Office collected 28,220 pounds of food for FISH, while the Lake Orion Post Office gathered 30,608 pounds.

That was a big increase for Oxford considering it had collected 13,851 pounds in 2017.

“It was a shock last year because there was so much,” Howald said. “If we could match that (amount this year), it would be fabulous. It’s easy to leave a bag (by) your mailbox. A few cans from every household would make a big difference.”

Haist, who worked as a letter carrier for the Oxford Post Office from 1984 until her retirement in 2015, would like to see her old workplace double its collections again this year.

“That might be unrealistic, but I think we could do it,” she said.

All types of nonperishable food items are appreciated, but right now, FISH is in need of canned meats (chicken, tuna and salmon), chili, baked beans, peanut butter, apple juice, apple sauce, canned pears, mixed fruit, canned tomatoes, ramen noodles and salad dressing.

FISH is currently seeking volunteers to help sort the donations on May 11. Folks are needed to work at both the new pantry (1060 S. Lapeer Rd.) and the old pantry site, which is located in Thomas at 487 First St.

Volunteers can sign up to work one or more of three available shifts via a SignUpGenius link at www.oxfordorionfish.org. Shifts run 12 to 2 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

Howald noted a few drivers are needed to transport food from the Lake Orion Post Office to the new pantry. They can volunteer by sending an email to oxfordorionfish@gmail.com.