OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Wapello County is spreading the word on one of the biggest food drives nation wide.

The Post Office, Southern Iowa Food Bank, United Way and Boy Scouts are all partnering together for the 20th annual Letter Carriers Stamp Out Food Drive. It will be held Saturday, May 14. Residents are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items in bags at the post office, or leave them by the mail box for carriers to pick them up.

People can also buy food at Fairway's Foods where Boy Scouts Troop 11 will drop it off to the post office. The food will go to local food banks for people in need this summer.

Wapello County United Way Executive Director Desiree Johnson says despite common belief, the summer time, not the holidays, are when people need food the most.

"During the summer time people forget about the food bank. That's actually the time when young kids need food the most. During the summer time, kids aren't able to access free and reduced price meals at home. Remember how important it is to advance the common good of our community."

The food drive has gathered a billion pounds of food in its history; including 8,000 pounds last year.