Mail carriers across the state will be collecting food donations Saturday in the U.S. Postal Service's 17th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" drive.

It is the nation's largest single-day effort to combat hunger and is held to support community food services such as the Hawaii Foodbank.

Last year, about 1,000 of Hawai'i's mail carriers collected a record-high total of more than 630,000 pounds of food items.

The Mililani Post Office led the way, collecting more than 58,000 pounds. More than 73 million pounds were collected nationwide last year

Residents are urged to place nonperishable food items next to their mailbox for pickup Saturday before their usual mail pickup time.

Items in greatest demand are canned items, including meats, pastas, soups, pork and beans, and fruits and vegetables. Packaged dry beans, pasta, rice and cereal are also sought.

An additional goal this year is to request healthier canned items, such as tuna, instead of the typical donations of Spam and Vienna sausages.