Community Action food bank in conjunction with the National Association of Letter Carriers is conducting its annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive on Saturday.

Residents throughout Utah County are invited to participate in this food drive by leaving their non-perishable foods in a bag by the mailbox. Letter carriers will then collect the bags when delivering the mail and take them to the local food bank.

"This year is unique because of higher gas prices and higher food prices," said Jim Thomas, food bank director. "Those two things have made it so that it is difficult for past donors to donate this year."

Currently, the need is as great as it is during the holiday season, which is normally twice the demand during the rest of the year.

The food bank is in particular need of high protein food items such as peanut butter, canned chili and beans, canned stews, canned tuna and powdered milk. Hygiene products such as soap, diapers and toilet paper are also needed.

In the past, BYU students have been generous. As students moved out for the summer, they donated more than 1,000 pounds of food to the food bank, Thomas said.

"I think it's a nice way to help people out and share what we have," said Kate Maryon, a recent English graduate.

For safety reasons, Community Action Food Bank cannot accept items canned at home and discourages donations that are in glass containers.

Community Action Food bank located in south Provo is the second largest food bank in Utah, serving the residents of Utah, Summit and Wasatch Counties.

For more information, visit www.CommunityActionUC.org or contact Jim Thomas at 801-592-7832.