Scouting For Food: What It Is and How to Participate

Hello Communities, Scouts and Scouting Families,

Are you ready to participate in the annual Scouting for Food drive?! 

Last year Pack 33 (with contributions from Troop 5823) collected a record level of food to help those in need in our community. As in over a ton, literally, of food! I am very proud of my boys and girls! We’re hoping you will help us do that (and beat it) again this year! (And yes, you earn a patch)!

Facebook Event for the Food Drive

https://www.facebook.com/events/382740875936762/

Facebook Event for the Winter Coat Drive

*coming soon*

Event form for Girl Scout Troops in Service Unit 34-8 (Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD) & Service Unit 40-2 (Washington DC) Here-- http://bit.ly/foodcoatdriveform

Key Points for donators! 

Why is this important to our scouts?

The reason the scouts do this is to help those in our communities who are less fortunate. It doesn't matter if you are from San Diego, California; Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Albany, New York; or Washington D.C. There are people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families every day! In the midst of the season, where we turn from fall to winter, it is all the more important that we stress this kindness to our youth today. To help others. To give a helping hand. 

That is why I write this post. Because this helps everyone! You never know when you may end up in the same spot yourself and will need the help of your community! 

So please help teach our youth how they and the community can help those less fortunate. 

What can you donate??

Great question! As long as the item remains unopened, you are welcome to donate most anything as long as it is a long-lasting non-perishables). 

* Non-perishable food. (Yes, even that can of beets grandma gave you that you will never touch.)

* Diapers and Wipes.

* Hygiene Items: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, etc
* Female Hygiene Items: Pads, tampons, make up, etc 

* Snacks

* Canned Goods

* Proteins- peanut butter, beans, canned meat

* Pasta

* Teas, Juice, etc 

* Candy

Anything helps! Remember, they go through it at the centre, so if you have questions, go ahead and donate it and trust that the centre where the food is donated (in our case, Capital Area Food Bank)  but for some areas are churches, city centres, shelters, etc. 

PIN THIS!

Key Points (esp for seasoned scouts): 

1) Get Scouting For Food Bags from your (den) leader (or use any bags)

2) Personalise the SFF handout (attached) and attach a copy to each bag. There is one for boy scouts and one for girl scouts (since we have sisters who may want to help). Just scroll all the way down to get the attachments. 

3) Give a bag to your neighbour (let them they can donate more) on or before the first Saturday in November. 

4) Pick up the bags on or before the second Saturday of November (for my girls, at fall bridging) and bring to your drop off location (contact your leader). 

5) Get creative with how you get your food/items (see below). 

6) Contact your leader with any questions, concerns, etc. 

FLIERS!!
 These can be used by ANY scout worldwide! 

(Print and write in the details such as your pack or troop number.) 

HERE IS THE BOY SCOUT FLIER

HERE IS THE GIRL SCOUT FLIER

Full Details:

SCOUTING FOR FOOD IS A GREAT WAY TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED!

The Scouting for Food Drive is a nation-wide effort where scouts all over America ask neighbours to donate non-perishable food and goods to help feed the less fortunate in our communities. People can donate not just non-perishable food but also diapers, and hygiene items (that are sealed). 

This email has all the information you need to participate.  All you need to do is:

1. The Next Two Weeks:

A)  Get 25 Scouting for Food bags (or however many you want to distribute) from your Den Leader. If you have issues getting them, you can use any bags! 

B) Add your scout’s name to the attached door hanger and print out as many copies as you need to leave one with each bag.

2.  On or before the First Saturday *Check your local pack's schedule* 
2019- 2nd to 9th of November- Pick Up & Drop off is Nov 9th, 2019

(2018- 10th Nov for pack/troop 33 - NCAC council)

(2018- 13th Nov for Girl Scout Troop 5823/Service Units 34-8 & 40-2)

(2017- 4th Nov for pack 33, troop 33, NCAC council, and troop 5823)

A) Distribute a Scouting for Food bag and a copy of the message to neighbours letting them know you and your scout will be back to pick up donations the following Saturday around 9 am.

B) A personal touch goes a long way here – See some additional tips below….

3.  On or before the 2nd Saturday morning *Check your local pack's schedule* 

(2018- 13th Nov, my girls can bring to the meeting)
(2017- 11th Nov, my girls can bring to the meeting)

A) go back to where you left bags and pick up 

B) Bring donations to the designated location determined by your pack or troop for drop off. 
For Pack 33; Takoma Park Middle School parking lot between 10am-12:30pm. We will transport all donations to the food bank collection site. Volunteers are welcome to help us transport the food. For my Den 6,  you can bring to the meeting or drop off to my house, if that is easier. You can also bring the pancake supper on the 4th.
For Girl Scout Troop 5823: Drop off to your leader's house or bring to the meeting.
For Girl Scout Troops in Service Unit 34-8 or 40-2: Drop off at my house with scouts/troop number on it. Leaders-- if you are able to drop off at one time, that works for me. 
For ALL scouts: Contact your local den or troop leader to find out! 

4.  Get Creative 

There are many creative ideas to help you and you I am sure can find a few more. These are ones I have known scouts to use.

a) you can go around during trick or treating

b) email list serves around you and pick up that way too

c) knock door to door with an adult

d) see if your school wants to join in

e) ask family, friends, people at church or work

f)  Check your own cupboards and closets

* Do a(nother) service project with it and pick up trash while you are doing this! Double awesomeness for both your community and environment! *

5. Here are some additional tips from previous years:

*  A personal touch goes a long way toward making the drive more successful. 
* You can go door to door, do it at work or church, facebook, drive to pick up or even put a box on the porch that people can drop off as they are able. I find a mixture of all these works the best personally. 
* Scouts should be in their Class A uniform while doing this
* Scouts have had best results when they knock on peoples' doors and get a commitment that the household will participate.

* Wear your scout uniform when distributing bags and talking to neighbours – it helps validate both your Pack or Troop and the overall Scouting for Food drive. 

* Attach the note to the bag – and distribute to as many neighbours as you can.

* Spread the word to friends and neighbours – if you have a neighbourhood listserve perhaps post a notice about the Scouting for Food drive.  You can also use this to remind neighbours to put out their donations for pickup!

Please contact your leader if have any questions, issues or need more information.

All Scouts who participate will receive a special Scouting for Food patch - and this action contributes to community service achievements at all levels!  

Thank you for participating in Scouting for Food! 

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Form for Girl Scouts in Service Unit 34-8 (Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Maryland), Service Unit 40-2 (Washington DC) & Troop 5823 & Den 6 Pack 33. 

                                Yours in scouting,

All About Scouts

Cub Scout Pack 33 Cubmaster 

Girl Scout Troop 5823 Scoutmaster

Boy Scout Troop 33 Leader
Girl Scout Service Unit 34-8, 34-9 & 40-2 Program Leader