Mail carriers in more than 10,000 communities across the country joined forces today to help "stamp out hunger."

For the 16th year in a row Bay County was one of those communities committed to dissolving hunger.

Bay County U.S. Postal Service says every can collected in Bay stays in Bay County. If you live in Bay County and donated food today, then carriers will be taking it to one of our three food banks: Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Rescue Mission.

Post Office officials say this is a crucial time of the year to restock local food banks since children are on summer vacation and may not be getting that nutritious hot meal anymore.

"It's a lot of extra work for the carriers this week. We had to pass out bags, and then we have to pick up the food today. But it's worth it because when you see somebody come up to you, a young lady in tow with two kids and say thank you very much, it's worth it."

They say in the past 15 years Bay County alone has collected as much as 140, 0000 pounds of food.