Scouting for Food now taking place across town

A FIRST FOR SCOUTING FOR FOOD: This year’s 31st annual Scouting for Food Drive is a celebrated milestone in the history of the event. As Cub Scouts now allow young girls to join the program, followed by Boy Scouts next year, for the first time they are allowed to officially participate in the drive. Scouts dropped off door hangers asking for donations last week, and will be back on Saturday, November 3 for pickup. (Sun Rise photos)

Posted Friday, November 2, 2018 11:42 am

The Johnston Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are doing more than just a few good deeds.

Last weekend’s rain couldn’t stop the members of Pack and Troop 20 Johnston as they fanned out across town placing door hangers on homes informing residents of their annual food drive. And for the first time in the event’s 31-year history, girls who are now eligible to join the Cub Scout ranks are officially participating.

The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America is now in the middle of its Scouting for Food drive which started last weekend. Thousands of Scouts distributed door hangers to neighbors’ homes seeking donations of nutritional, non-perishable canned goods. The annual initiative, which is the largest food drive in New England, highlights one of Scouting’s primary focuses – doing a “Good Turn” daily.

Hundreds of scouting packs and troops from across Southern New England will participate in the drive by collecting canned goods from families and individuals. Donation pick-ups will take place on Saturday, November 3 starting at 9 a.m. and will be delivered to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and other local food pantries.

Each month, tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders seek food assistance through the Food Bank’s network.

Items sought for donations include canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, peanut butter, soups, cereals, pasta, and sauces. Canned and boxed foods are accepted, no glass or perishable foods, please.

Scouting for Food is supported by the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, WPRI-12 News, Fox Providence, the Rhode Island National Guard, The Valley Breeze, Job Lot, The Providence CW, and my RI TV. To learn more about Scouting visit www.beascout.org.