Scouts to collect food for the needy Nov. 21

    Since 1910, the ideals of Scouting have guided young men to perform “service to others and to the community.” Responding to the plight of America’s poor and hungry is a traditional Scouting “good turn.”  During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens to provide food for the hungry. President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression. Planting Victory Gardens were the Scouting “good turns” organized during World War II.
    Scouting for Food is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Good Turn for America service project. Through this effort, Scouts work to collect food in their communities which is given to local food banks for distribution to families in need at no cost. Since 1987, the Presque Isle Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts have been participating in this nationwide event – this year on Saturday, Nov. 14 the Scouts will be delivering bags to homes in the city with flyers describing the items needed for the annual food drive collection on Saturday, Nov. 21.
    Items being collected include non-perishable canned goods like vegetables, soups, chili, and baby formula. Non-perishable boxed items like pasta are also welcome. Please do not include anything that is frozen or in glass. Residents are asked to place their items being donated outside their front door in plain sight from the street on Saturday, Nov. 21.
    “Your contribution will help feed the hungry in our community through the GIFT Food Bank. It may also provide a Scout with the opportunity to discover the goodness of his neighbors, to further develop his own sense of responsibility to humankind and to feel the satisfaction of just doing something nice for someone,” said longtime Scout Leader Kathy Peary of Presque Isle.
    For more information on the Food Drive or to answer any questions about the Boy Scout program, please contact Tom or Kathy Peary at 764-0726.