Boy Scouts kick off Scouting for Food drive this weekend

Posted 10/27/16

On October 29, thousands of Boy Scouts from across the state will be distributing 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,

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Boy Scouts kick off Scouting for Food drive this weekend

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On October 29, thousands of Boy Scouts from across the state will be distributing 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. Donation pick-ups will take place the following Saturday, Nov. 5 starting at 9 a.m. and will be delivered to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. This is the 29th consecutive year that the Narragansett Council of Boy Scouts of America has run a “Scouting for Food Good Turn” drive.

More than 200 Boy Scout packs and troops will participate in the drive, collecting canned goods from families and individuals throughout Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut.

“Every year the Scouts of the Narragansett Council are excited to participate in the food drive and eager to do their part and help make a difference,” said Joe DeStefano, Volunteer Coordinator for the annual Scouting for Food drive since it began in 1987. “This opportunity helps Boy Scouts learn first-hand the importance of helping people in need, and offers the chance for everybody to partake in the spirit of generosity.”

Each month, 59,000 Rhode Islanders seek food assistance through the Food Bank's network of emergency food programs. 11.8 percent of Rhode Island households are food insecure, and 4.7 percent of Rhode Island households experience severe hunger; 146,000 Rhode Islanders are living in poverty.

Over the years, the Scouts have collected more than 8.9 million pounds of food for the Food Bank.

Following the USDA’s guidelines for healthy eating, donors are encouraged to fill their bags with the Food Bank’s most needed items are canned soup, tuna, canned meats, peanut butter, nuts, canned fruits & vegetables, dried fruit, tomato sauce, nutritious breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta, canned or dried Beans, rice, granola bars and other healthy snacks.

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