U-S Postal Service workers in some 10,000 cities around the country are helping the needy tomorrow with the 16th annual National Association of Letter Carriers National Food Drive.

Last year's drive collected more than 70 million pounds of food, and the Postal Service and Campbell's Soup went together this year to print 120 million postcards to encourage the public to participate.

Taking part this year for the first time are the 4 letter carriers in Chadron, and spokesman Larry Olson says they're excited to be joining the effort.

The food drive will be done a little differently in Chadron. In most places, the letter carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes...but in Chadron, the public is being asked to bring those items to Safeway, Wal-Mart, or the back of the Post Office.

Olson says that's a simple case of logistics...since carriers aren't allowed to use overtime hours for the food drive.

All the food items collected in Chadron will be split between the communities two food pantries at Northwest Community Action and the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Carriers taking part in the drive are Olson, Randy Burk, Dave Thompson, and Jolene Slee. Chadron’s other carrier, Rich Bates, will be on vacation that day, but has volunteered to help if needed.