The U.S. Postal Service food drive has collected thousands of pounds of food to help area families in need.
Kurt Rotzler, a rural mail deliverer for Old Southside and Davenport, said the most unusual items he's seen donated were anchovies and sardines. While staples of cereal, pasta and other nonperishable items usually are requested, Rotzler said giving any nonperishable item is appreciated and key to help meet the need.
Sometimes, residents give more than a letter carrier can bring back. In that case, the carrier makes a mental note and returns later with a truck.
John Hendrickson, a carrier whose delivery area includes East Street, said some residents are eager to donate and generous _ he's come upon a gift of about 10 cases of vegetables.
``People ask, `When's the food drive? When's the food drive?''' Hendrickson said Tuesday. ``It's fun to see what people put out.''
The current drive in the Albany district started Thursday and ends Saturday, and items may also be dropped off at participating post offices.
Oneonta Postmaster Laurie MacCracken said the fundraiser costs the post office money to pick up donations and cover any overtime. Also, participation by carriers is voluntary, she said, but Oneonta's 16 city carriers, eight rural carriers and eight clerks all volunteered to help with the drive.
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Gilbertsville Fire Chief David Robinson said he had planned to go to the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church harvest dinner and help clean up Wednesday night.
But instead he and about 60 other firefighters were called to put out a fire at a Tillson Road house in the town of Butternuts.
Robinson said though he missed the dinner, he didn't miss the food because leftovers from the turkey meal were delivered to the fire department for crews returning from the fire.
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The flu season nears, and health-care providers are arranging clinics for vaccinations.
However, Russ Grant, director of infection control at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, was quick to say that washing hands is also an important preventive step.
The advice sounds old but doesn't grow old. The words of wisdom are repeated by other health-care providers, and the Centers for Disease Control shouts on its website, ``Clean Hands Save Lives!"
Here are some hand-washing tips from the CDC: Wet hands with clean running water and apply soap; using warm water if possible; lather and rub for 20 seconds; rinse under running water; and dry hands with a paper towel, which can be used to turn off the faucet. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based gel to clean hands. With either method, all hand surfaces should be covered.
Washing hands helps prevent illness and stops the spread of germs, the CDC site said.
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Staff writer Denise Richardson covers health, business and the colleges.
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