Sidney Troop 401 at the town’s food pantry. Front from left are Kurt Webster, Willie LeHay, Cameron Sinclair, Mason Hughes and Parker LeHay. Second row from left are Joe Poulin, Campion Poulin, Rui Webster, Dylan Enaire, Wyatt Day and Anderson Diehl. Back row from left are Scott Hughes, Dan Allarie, Eric Handley, Issac Allarie, Zachary Lehay, Gabe Steinberger, Chris Labbe and Matt Enaire. Submitted photo

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.

Wolf Scout Declan McLaughlin, left, and Lion Scout Boone McLaughlin of Vassalboro Pack 410 show off the 142 items of food collected by local Scouts at the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry. Submitted photo

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.

Jackman Troop 497 held its Scouting for Food Drive outside Mountain Country Market. From left are Eagle Chris Somerset, Fire Chief Bill Jarvis, Eagle candidates Jaxson Desjardins and Maddox Cuddy, who helped collect food for the hungry. Submitted photo

“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.

Pittsfield Pack 428 Scouts Eli Lary of Hartland and Lucas Doughty of St. Albans take part in the Scouting for Food Drive. Submitted photo

Callum Dorias of Madison, a member of Pack 428 in Pittsfield, took part in the Scouting for Food Drive on Nov. 11. Submitted photo

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.

Troop 631 in Augusta helped pack Thanksgiving meals for area veterans Nov. 19. From left are Commander Tilden Doak, Connor Poirier, Tracey Cahn, and Theresea Poirier. All are from Augusta, except Cahn, who lives in Readfield. Submitted photo

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.

Check out other upcoming area events!