Local letter carriers and residents raised more than 7,000 pounds of food for needy families in Chilton County through the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Both city and rural letter carriers for Clanton, Jemison and Thorsby picked up donations left by people on their routes Saturday. The food will be donated to the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center.

“The letter carriers of Clanton would like to thank the people of Chilton County for their support through donations of food,” drive coordinator Mike Lory said. “It was a big success. It was one of our biggest years yet, and we’ve been doing this for about 15 years.”

Between Clanton, Jemison and Thorsby, about 20 letter carriers and many residents participated in the annual effort — and at a time when budgets are tight and the need is great.

“During the recession we’re going through, people are being very generous,” Clanton Postmaster Ronnie Carmichael said.