DOWAGIAC — Despite unfavorable weather Thursday morning, Dowagiac postal carriers stood outside in the rain to draw attention to a large, white sign advertising the office’s annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to take place this weekend.

“This is just an amazing opportunity for the community to give back,” said Post Master Janet Hagen. “We just want to remind people that it is happening.”

With the help of sponsors, volunteer organizations and U.S. Postal Service employees in 10,000 communities nationwide, the National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 27th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive — the nation’s largest single-day food drive — Saturday. For the donation drive, postal carriers and volunteers will collect non-perishable food donations left out by area residents to be delivered to local community churches, food banks and food pantries for distribution. In Dowagiac, donations will benefit ACTION Ministries, First Christian Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

The Dowagiac Post Office has been participating in the food drive for more than a decade, according to Hagen. Last year, the Dowagiac Post Office collected 6,800 pounds of donations.

“We are hoping to beat that [6,800 pounds] this year,” Hagen said. “That is always the goal: to beat last year.”

Participating residents should leave their non-perishable food donations or items such as diapers in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday before their letter carrier arrives. Hagen said that the earlier residents leave their contributions out, the better. She also recommended that residents place their donations in plastic bags to protect them from potential rain.

As post master, Hagen has overseen three Stamp Out Hunger Food Drives in Dowagiac. Each time, she said she has been happy to see a high level of participation and a passion for helping those in need from area residents.

“It’s wonderful. It’s really nice to see anything that unites the community,” she said. “Dowagiac has a really good spirit of community activism. Giving back is a big part of the identity of the community. It really speaks to what our community is about.”

Hagen encouraged all residents to participate Saturday, saying that even leaving out one food item could make a difference.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “We [as a post office] love our community. … We really see that sense of community come out with the support we get for this food drive every year.”