Mail carriers across the nation are teaming up with local food pantries for the nation’s largest single-day food drive today.

In Lawrence, residents are encouraged to place nonperishable food items by their mailboxes for pickup by mail carriers or volunteers. Items also may be delivered to the post office, 645 Vt.

Last year, about 22,000 pounds of food items were collected in Lawrence, and Andy Tuttle, president of Branch 104 of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said he would like to see more this year.

“There really is a much greater need this year than in recent years,” Tuttle said.

He said the food would be distributed from the post office to the food pantries. The pantries include East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp., Leo Center, Salvation Army and Trinity Interfaith. Food also will be given to Just Food, a coalition of Lawrence churches.