Mail carriers on Long Island and across the country are participating in the 25th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive.

Letter carrier Rich Lepis has been delivering mail in Syosset for the past 30 years. While making his rounds Saturday, he picked up food from residents for those in need on Long Island. 

"It feels real good. There's a lot of people that need our help. We tend to go about our daily lives and we forget about the needy people," says Lepis. 

Residents were encouraged to leave out non-perishable food items for collection. 

Island Harvest's President and CEO Randi Shubin Dresner says this is one of the most crucial food drives for the organization.  For now, it helps fill warehouse shelves and over the next couple of weeks the cereal, pasta and soups will be on the table of someone who needs it most.

"It's 25 years here on Long Island. And we are hoping, this year, for well over 450,000 pounds of food," says Dresner. 

Island Harvest has a network of pantries across Long Island numbering well over 400, says Dresner. Anyone who would like to participate in the Stamp Out Hunger program can still drop off food at a local post office or contact Island Harvest.