Scouts to Collect ‘Scouting for Food’ Donations Saturday Morning

Warwick, RI — On Saturday, Scouts across the city and state dropped off food donation notices at local homes asking for donations to the organization’s annual Scouting for Food Drive, and this Saturday morning, they’ll be swinging by again to pick up donated food.

The Scouting for Food Drive, which helps bolster the supplies of the RI Food Bank, has been running each November for the last 25 years. This is the second year Scouts have left door hanger notices, according to the Boy Scouts of America. The notices announce the food collection this Saturday, and ask residents to place donations in shopping bags at their front doors for pickup in the morning Nov. 7.

Chances are high you’ve received one of the hanger notices. There are nine cub scout packs, 11 Boy Scout troops, and 3 Venture crews in Warwick, according to the BSA’s Narragansett Council.

“The Scouting for Food Drive is our Council’s most significant annual community service event,” said John Mosby, the Narragansett Council’s Scout Executive/CEO.  “It reinforces important lessons and values taught in Scouting and gives young men a first-hand experience of serving their community and helping their neighbors.”

Since its inception in 1988, the Narragansett Council has collected more than 7.8 million pounds of food for those less fortunate.  Last year alone, Scouts collected close to 300,000 pounds of food, with 185,000 pounds being brought directly to the Food Bank.

The Boy Scouts ask that residents only donate healthy, nutritious food in good condition and “in date.” Foods six months past their expiration cannot be accepted.

Also, the Scouts cannot accept homemade products or glass jars of baby food.

Most-Needed Non-Perishable Food Items

Peanut butter	Whole wheat pasta
Tuna	Brown rice
Canned & dried beans	Boxed macaroni & cheese
Canned soups & stews	Granola bars
Canned fruits & vegetables	Tomato sauce
Breakfast cereals	Extra virgin olive oil