Hunger seldom takes a holiday. And while food drives during the holiday season can help sustain Hawai'i's food pantries year-round, the everyday need is staggering.

The Hawai'i Foodbank network tallies more than 118,000 different people served each week. More than one-third are working households; many are families.

Today, your U.S. Postal Service mail carriers are asking that you put out an extra can or two of food for them to collect as they make their rounds.

It's all part of the 14th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, which will help keep the Hawai'i Foodbank stocked for the next several months.

Too many families and individuals here are forced to make painful choices: Do they pay their rent or buy food for their children? Can they go without their medication so that they can eat this week?

In Hawai'i we're taught to look out for our neighbors; it's part of our culture.

So please, kokua. Give what you can. A can of corn, some Spam or other non-perishable products. Anything helps.