DARKE COUNTY — Area food pantries are calling in the cavalry — or more specifically, the Boy Scouts — in their goal of feeding the hungry.
Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 11, Scouts in the Miami Valley Council — including Darke, Preble, Miami, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties — will participate in Scouting for Food.
Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend, Mar. 11, Scouts will distribute bags and/or door hangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second weekend, Mar. 18, Scouts revisit those houses to pick up bags filled with canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice, and other nonperishable items.
Darke County Scouts taking part in this year’s drive include Troop 184 Union City; Troop 373 Greenville; Troop & Pack 134 Greenville; Troop & Pack 114 Ansonia; Troop & Pack 185 Pitsburg; Pack 149, Troop 96 New Madison; and Pack & Troop 79 Versailles.
Each area has its own food pantries to which the Scouts will deliver.
“Last year we had 22 Scouts and their families participate in Scouting for Food from Troop 373, Troop 134 and Pack 134,” said Jeanie Normile, Darke District Scouting for Food Coordinator.
Food collected in Greenville will be delivered to Darke County Fish and Grace Resurrection Community Center. During last year’s event, the Scouts delivered 3,394 items collected to these food pantries.
“I look forward to Scouting for Food every year,” said Normile. “The Boy Scouts learn the importance of serving their community and the importance of giving. It is a positive experience for the Scouts and the Community.”
Scouting for Food is just one way the Boy Scouts of America work to improve communities across the nation. Scouts are active cleaning up parks, building houses, gathering for the needy, and even helping with disaster preparedness.
