Here in Hawai'i, helping those in our community who need a hand comes naturally; it's part of our culture. That's one of the many things that make our island home special.

Today, in addition to delivering your mail, your letter carrier will bring an opportunity to help a neighbor in need.

It's all part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, a national project sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Just fill a bag with non-perishable foods — proteins such as canned meats are most appreciated — and letter carriers will pick up the goods while making their normal delivery runs today. They'll make sure the food gets delivered to the Hawaii Foodbank and into the cupboards of those who need it most.

The folks at the Foodbank say Hawai'i has been generous in the past, and this year should be no exception. They expect the food drive to pull in more than a quarter of a million pounds of food.

It will be put to good use.

"The need is greater this year because people are feeling the pinch in their pocket books even more," says Polly Kauahi, fund development director for the Foodbank.

To make things easier for donors, postal workers delivered blue plastic bags with your mail. All you have to do is fill it with nonperishables and set it near your mailbox.

So do your part. Your contribution will mean someone won't have to go to bed hungry, not this time.