Postal employees will pick up more than mail Saturday.
They will collect nonperishable food as part of the 22nd annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive coordinated by the National Association of Letter Carriers in conjunction with state, local and national organizations such as the United Way, Campbell Soup Co. and the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association.
"It's a one-day drive. It's the largest food drive in the nation and possibly the world," said Greg Andregic, coordinator of the drive for Schuylkill County and union steward of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 500, based in Harrisburg.
In the county, the following post offices are participating: Pottsville, Frackville, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven, Cressona, Port Carbon, New Philadelphia, Saint Clair, Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Ringtown and New Ringgold.
Ringtown and New Ringgold did not take part last year, Andregic said.
Food such as pasta, cereal, rice, canned soups, vegetables and meats are encouraged, a press release from the National Association of Letter Carriers said.
Food collected in Pottsville, Cressona, Port Carbon and New Philadelphia will be given to the Salvation Army in Pottsville and Schuylkill Community Action.
The Salvation Army will receive about 75 percent of the food Monday due to their involvement in the drive and the community. The remainder will be given to SCA, which will pass the donations on to the Pottsville Food Pantry located in the Roundhouse, 400 N. Seventh St.
Jason Schally, program operations specialist with SCA, said the organization is thankful for the food.
"The timing of Stamp Out Hunger is perfect given the drop off in donations to food pantries in the spring and summer. Right now, we have many empty shelves to fill which is usually not the case around Thanksgiving," he said.
Food collected in Schuylkill Haven will go to that borough's food pantry. Donations collected in the other municipalities will stay in there respective areas.
In 2012, 17,000 pounds of food were collected in Pottsville. Last year, the city fell short of matching that amount by collecting only nearly 17,000.
In 2013, the drive resulted in 74.4 million pounds of food collected countywide, the organization said.
Andregic said people donate because they realize there is a need in the community.
"You have more and more people looking for food," he said.
Tammy Hench, captain of the Salvation Army of Pottsville, said the organization is appreciative of the donation.
While the food pantry still has food, supplies are getting low, she said. There is also an emergency food pantry for those in dire circumstances.
"The food is definitely helpful. We have people in for food almost every day," Hench said.
Between 80 to 100 families every month get food at the pantry, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday.
There are 18 food pantries in the county.