A Serious Look at Expensive Drugs

An Incentive for Volunteer Service

Legislation that would permit federal employees to use two sick-leave days each year to perform volunteer community service was introduced by Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) yesterday.

Moran announced his bill at the start of National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration of volunteers and their contributions.

It was established by presidential proclamation in 1974.

Numerous companies have time-off policies in support of community service, Moran said, citing Wells Fargo, Toro, CDW and Wegmans as examples. "This legislation is about providing our civil service with a benefit on par with what is being offered by some of the more desirable workplaces in the U.S.," Moran said.

Under the bill, federal employees could volunteer to serve at organizations that qualify for the Combined Federal Campaign, the government's annual charity drive, or at groups approved by the Office of Personnel Management.

Save the Date for Food Drive

The nation's largest food drive to combat hunger will be conducted May 10 by the National Association of Letter Carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns, the union has announced.

The union's annual "Stamp Out Hunger" drive is its 16th. Mail carriers collected 70.7 million pounds of food last year, the union said.

Donors are asked to leave non-perishable products -- such as canned meats, soups, cereals, pasta and rice -- in a bag near their mailbox on May 10 before the letter carrier arrives. Donations will be delivered to food banks, pantries and shelters that serve the area where they are collected, union president William H. Young said.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.