Published Thursday, February 04, 2010

Local Boy Scouts fight hunger through Scouting for Food drive

On Feb. 6, the Flint River Council of the Boy Scouts of America, in partnership with Publix Supermarkets, Inc., will launch its 2010 Scouting for Food campaign -- the nation's largest single-day food drive.

An annual service project by Scouts, this year's Scouting for Food helps kick off the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Boy Scouts of America.

Last year, 1,015 Scouts and 644 adults from eight counties (Butts, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson) sought to fight hunger by visiting their local neighborhoods and communities and placing empty Scouting for Food bags at each house with detailed instructions as to how to participate. After a week, Scouts came back to pick up bags filled with non-perishable food items, such as peanut butter, soups, canned meat, pastas, and vegetables. Because of their efforts, 39,403 pounds of food was collected, sorted, boxed, and distributed to local food pantries.

In celebration of Scouting's 100th year anniversary, the Flint River Council hopes to grow its Scouting for Food efforts by engaging 100 units to participate and encouraging each boy to collect 15 bags of food. Community residents are asked to check their front doors for Scouting for Food bags they receive on Feb. 6. Those wishing to donate food are asked to leave their bags on doorsteps or at the end of driveways.

The Boy Scouts of America was designed to instill in the nation's youth the moral and ethical principles, habits, practices, and attitudes that are conducive to good character, citizenship, and health. The Boy Scout programs encourage doing a "Good Turn" daily and seek to develop young men and women that will become active citizens in their community. The Scouting for Food Campaign reinforces these values by encouraging young people to help those in need.

The Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2010. In addition to the Scouting for Food service commitment, Scouts are organizing a 100th Anniversary Scout Show for the district. The show is scheduled July 10 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The free event will include family activities, programs, and live entertainment for the public.

For more information about the Scouting for Food campaign, visit www.FlintRiverCouncil.org or call 770-227-4556.