Post Office: Box numbers still safe with renewals 

An expired credit card left a Boca Grande resident unable to renew his Post Office boxes through the online system, and worried that he would lose his longstanding box number.

In an email statement to the Boca Beacon regarding the question, the USPS has stated that current customers do not have to take any action at this time.

“Regarding P.O. boxes at the Boca Grande Post Office, customers should be advised they do not need to take any action at this time to renew their P.O. boxes,” said Carol Hunt, strategic communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service, out of Plano, Texas. “All customers will maintain their current P.O. box addresses and no boxes will be affected by this temporary situation. When Boca Grande resumes operation, customers will be notified regarding any action required for their individual P.O. boxes.”

The question arose when customer Robert Dresing tried to renew his box, as his card had expired. When he checked with the 800 number after being unable to renew it online, the USPS at first incorrectly said that the post office was still operating. When he checked in here, they said that there was no actual place to pay for it.

“We thank our valued customers for their continued patience,” said Hunt.

Boca Grande residents do not have street delivery of mail, and depend upon a post office box number, which is equivalent to their street address. 

The Boca Grande Post Office closed in September after Hurricane Helene, and has not yet reopened.