So many of us take the necessities of life for granted. We turn on a faucet and expect clean, potable water to come forth — at an adequate pressure.

We flip a switch and expect lights to come on in our air-conditioned house.

And we open a cupboard or refrigerator and expect food to be waiting on us.

Sadly, for many area residents exactly what they’re going to eat for dinner is not as certain. They either go without or depend upon the kindness of others.

Tomorrow, you have an opportunity to help some of those people without great effort. Natchez-area postal carriers — and their volunteers — will collect donated canned food as part of the national Stamp Out Hunger campaign.

The premise is simple. Place canned or other non-perishable food in a bag that postal carriers will provide and leave the bag of donated food by your mailbox.

Letter carriers and their volunteers will collect the food and help distribute it to area non-profits.

This year’s goal is to collect 45,000 pounds of food, approximately 5,000 pounds more than were collected last year.

That’s an impressive goal, but one that is very achievable, if everyone gets involved.

We thank letter carriers and everyone who donates food for their involvement in this year’s effort. The food is sorely needed and will go to good use.