Scouts collecting food this weekend; Will be coming to residences Saturday morning

Published 7:07 am Tuesday, March 12, 2019

The Boy Scouts of America will hold its annual Scouting for Food campaign on Saturday.

Since it began in 1988, Scouting for Food has collected over 200 million pounds of food across the country, making it the single largest food collection effort in the history of the United States.

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Residents are asked to place donated non-perishable food items in a bag outside in a visible location by the street by 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. Members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will pick up the items to be delivered to the Salvation Army Food Pantry.

“(The Scouting for Food campaign is) a chance to help teach our young people to help the community,” said Keven Maxa, assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 113. “It helps set a good example of giving back to their community.”

Last year, the Scouting for Food campaign collected 1,600 pounds of food in the area, according to Maxa. Recent year totals have been as high as 4,500 pounds.

“Many years ago we collected over 10,000 pounds,” Maxa said. “That was when we were the only food drive in town.”

Because of warmer temperatures expected this weekend, Maxa said the use of dark plastic bags is preferred so they stand out against the snow and don’t absorb melting water, though any bags will be taken. Scouts will also accept donations of toiletries, though non-perishable food is preferred.

This is a rain or shine event.