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Northeast Florida asked to help 'Stamp Out Hunger' Saturday

Every box and can has an important role at Feeding Northeast Florida. This weekend, you can help keep the pantry stocked through the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

“It happens in all 50 states across the country and this is the 25th anniversary of it, so it's a pretty big deal,” President and CEO Luke Layow said.

Getting involved is simple. All you have to do is leave out non-perishable food items near your mailbox Saturday and the postal service will pick it up.

In Northeast Florida, the top needed items are: peanut butter, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit and granola bars.

One in every four kids and one in six adults in our area are considered food insecure -- meaning they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

“Over half of the people, nearly 60 percent of those that we're serving have a job. They’re what we call the "working poor." So, they're making money, they're trying. They live in a home. They’re just one paycheck away, one car breaking down. One medical problem away,” Layow said.

We were at the distribution center Monday as leaders put out a call for donations. Among them was Marine Corps veteran Mason Dwyer, who has directly benefited from the 5 Star Veterans Center and groups like Feeding Northeast Florida.

“Donate as much food as you possibly can. It helps more than you can possibly imagine,” he said.

Last year, more than 300,000 pounds of food were collected.