Troop 171 of Presque Isle recently worked on the merit badge Citizenship in the Community.
One of the requirements for the merit badge were for them to choose a charitable organization, research it and do eight hours of service work for the organization. Troops 171 chose GIFT.
GIFT is an interfaith food pantry that serves Presque Isle, Chapman, Mapleton and Castle Hill. GIFT provides food for the unemployed, needy and poor. GIFT headquarters is located on Industrial Street in Presque Isle. The head of GIFT is Sister Mary O’Donnell.
Troop 171 decided to continue the annual food drive but took matters in their own hands.
“The Scouts did all the necessary planning for the food drive. Planning included designing the flyers, stapling them to the bags, organizing the areas of town to distribute in, picking up the food items, sorting the food items and delivering them to GIFT. They also researched the GIFT organization and had a guest speaker come in,” said Scoutmaster Tom Peary.
The food drive was held on 5th and 12th of November. Pack 171 also helped the Scouts with the food drive. They put out the bags on the 5th with a note written by one of them saying to leave the bag out filled with food on the 12th of November. In total, Troop 171 delivered over 1,200 items of food to Gift.
“The Scout’s worked hard and learned a lot about planning and the need in the community for food items for those less fortunate,” said Peary.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Freeman
MEMBERS OF TROOP 171 worked on their Citizenship in the Community merit badge in November, collecting food items for GIFT, an interfaith food bank located on Industrial St. in Presque Isle. Pictured from left: Thomas Freeman, Jimmy Stepp, Michael Guerrette and Sister Mary O’Donnell.
