Scouts in Vassalboro held their Scouting for Food Drive Nov. 19, collecting 142 pounds of food that was delivered to the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry.
Scouting strives to prepare youth to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders who are guided by the values of Scout Oath and Law. Scout Leaders throughout Kennebec Valley District try to foster in their Cubs and Scouts an attitude of service especially for those in their community who are struggling. That’s where the food drive comes in, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman for the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting.
According to Kennebec Valley District Scouting for Food Chair Shelley Connolly of Pittsfield, the national food drive began in 1985.
“On average, one in four children in Maine is at risk for hunger daily, and 37% of them do not qualify for public assistance. They are even more vulnerable when school is not in session (summers, vacation weeks and weekends). All Scouting Units (Packs, Troops and Crews) are charged with conducting at least one Scouting for Food collection annually,” said Connolly.
This can be done either in the fall or the spring, depending on when the greatest need exists in their particular community.
Scout leaders, working with their local food bank or pantry, pick a date to conduct their food drive. Some choose to go door to door collecting food, while in other towns the Scouts fill a tent or a canoe outside a grocery store. Any funds donated to the Scouts at these collection efforts is used to buy additional food for the needy.
Scouts from the Moose River Valley held their food drive on Nov. 18, donating items to 12 families. The troop also received $709 in donations, which bought additional food for the needy.
Scouts in Monmouth Troop 654 held their food drive on Nov. 19, collecting 700 items and $134.
Troop and Pack 428 held its Scouting for Food event at Danforth’s Downhome Supermarket in Pittsfield Nov. 11. The Scouts collected about 900 pounds of food. This food was distributed to three area pantries: Hartland’s Food Cupboard, Somerset Elementary Food Pantry and Warsaw School’s Food Pantry.
Augusta Troop 631 Scouts and leaders helped pack Thanksgiving food bags Nov. 19 with the American Legion Post 2. These bags are going to veterans and to the community.
On Nov. 20, Scouts from Sidney Troop 401 brought a truck full of food to the Sidney Food Pantry, and also sorted all of the food they collected and stocked the shelves.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less