Sandy Dixon is a Discovery Bay letter carrier, but lately she’s been delivering more than the mail. Last Saturday, Dixon and dozens of her co-workers collected thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual food drive.

“We really got into it this year,” said Dixon, coordinator of the local drive. “Last time we didn’t get a lot, but this year we really got the word out. I wanted to collect more; I knew we could do better.”

And they did. Nearly 14,000 pounds better.

Dixon credits an effective PR program that included standing out in front of the Sandy Cove Safeway, plus strategically placed signs and food barrels at local schools. “I was so very excited when I got the call from the (Contra Costa) food bank telling me we did so well,” said Dixon. “It’s such a worthwhile thing, especially in these hard times. We’re very proud to have done our part.”

The Stamp Out Hunger annual event is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Mail carriers across the county collect donations from homes on their mail delivery routes, and the items are given to local food shelters and pantries. Discovery Bay’s efforts –a total of 27,000 pounds – went to support the Contra Costa County Food Bank.